Abnormality

Question 1

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

Deviation from social norms

Failure to function adequately

Deviation from ideal mental health

Statistical infrequency

Question 2

What is “deviation from social norms”?

Answer 2

Abnormal behaviour is that which goes against the unwritten rules of a society or culture

Question 3

What is “failure to function adequately”?

Answer 3

Abnormal behaviour is that which causes an inability to cope with everyday life - behaviour may disrupt ability to work or conduct satisfying personal relationships.

Question 4

What is “deviation from ideal mental health”?

Answer 4

Behaviour is abnormal if it fails to meet the criteria for psychological normality.

Question 5

What is “statistical infrequency”?

Answer 5

Abnormal behaviour is that which is statistically rare

Question 6

What are social norms?

Answer 6

Standard of acceptable behaviour created by a group of people and adhered by everyone within that group

Question 7

What are the limitations of the definition “deviation from social norms”

Answer 7

Breaking social norms might be beneficial - suffragettes

Social norms of a society might change over time - homosexuality was classed as a mental illness till 1990

Deviation from social norms doesn’t always lead to mental health issues - naturists

Question 8

Who are the 2 names needed for “failure to function adequately”?

Answer 8

Seligman & Rosenhan

Question 9

What are the 7 features that Rosenhan and Seligman suggested about personal dysfunction ?

Answer 9

1. Personal distress
2. Maladaptive behaviour
3. Unpredictability
4. Irrationality
5. Observer discomfort
6. Violation of moral standards
7. Unconventionality

Question 10

What is maladaptive behaviour?

Answer 10

Behaviour which prevents someone from reaching their goals - socially or occupationally

Question 11

What is unconventionality?

Answer 11

Displaying behaviour which is not usually done under those certain circumstances

Question 12

What are the limitations of “failure to function adequately”?

Answer 12

Abnormality isn’t always accompanied by a failure to function - Harold Shipman

There are times in life when it is normal to feel distressed

A person’s behaviour that distresses others may not cause that person distress - Steven Gough

Question 13

Who is Steven Gough?

Answer 13

Man who wanted to hike naked and was very persistent about it

Question 14

Who is Harold Shipman?

Answer 14

A doctor/SERIAL KILLER whole killed 213 patients over 23 years - during that time everyone thought he was a normal and respectable man

Question 15

What did Jahoda do?

Answer 15

Developed “ideal mental health” - 6 characteristics which makes one normal

Question 16

What are the 6 characteristics of “ideal mental health”?

Answer 16

1. Positive attitude to yourself
2. Self-actualisation
3. Autonomy - being independent
4. Resistance to stress - able to cope with everyday stresses of life
5. Accurate perception of reality - not viewing reality in a distorted manner
6. Environment mastery - being able to handle any challenges life throws at you

Question 17

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 17

experiencing personal growth and development and reach one’s full potential

Question 18

What are the cons of the definition “deviation from ideal mental health”?

Answer 18

A lot of criteria demanding and unreliable - being happy about yourself all the time

A lot of the criteria is difficult to measure and subject - reaching one’s full potential

The way we judge good mental health differs with cultures - Japanese and US culture

Question 19

What are the cons of statistical infrequency?

Answer 19

Fails to recognise desirable, yet rare traits - high IQ

Some psychological disorders aren’t rare - 27% of the elderly have depression (NIMH, 2001)

Many rare behaviours/traits have no correlation to mental health - being left/right-handed