Abnormality Flashcards
What is abnormality?
A psychological condition or behaviour that departs from the norm or is harmful and distressing to the individual or those around them. Abnormal behaviours are usually those that violate society’s ideas of what is an appropriate level of functioning.
What is cultural relativism?
The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates.
What is psychopathology?
The scientific study of psychological disorders, their nature and causes.
Describe deviation from social norms.
Abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from implicit rules about how one ‘ought’ to behave. Anything that violates these rules is considered abnormal.
Describe deviation from ideal mental health.
Abnormality is seen as deviating from an ideal of positive mental health. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality.
Describe failure to function adequately.
By using practical criteria of adequate functioning, mentally healthy people are judged as being able to operate within certain acceptable limits. if abnormal behaviour interferes with daily functioning, it may, according to these criteria, be considered abnormal.
what are the strengths of deviation from social norms?
- our cultural understanding of personal space. When space allows we stand at arms length to converse. Anyone standing closer when not constrained by circumstances e.g. crowded transport, makes us feel uncomfortable.
- In some cases behaviour is defined as abnormal because it offends our ‘morals’. There are behaviours that virtually all of us would agree are abnormal on these grounds.
what are the strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?
Jahoda believed it was possible to define abnormality by assuming it was the absence of normality. She reviewed what others had written about mental health and identified 6 categories that were commonly referred to and included:
- Self attitudes: Having a strong sense of identity and positive self esteem.
- Personal growth and self actualisation: The ability to develop and to reach your full potential
- Autonomy: Being independent and self-regulating.
• Having an accurate perception of reality
Being unable to satisfy these criteria = abnormality.
what are the strengths of failure to function adequately?
• This approach focuses on the characteristics of mental abnormality.
- Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest 7 features e.g.
- Suffering: Personal distress seems to be a key feature of individuals who are having mental health problems.
- Maladaptiveness: behaviour that prevents an individual from achieving major life goals such as enjoying relationships with others or working effectively.
- Irrationality and incomprehensibility: behaviour that does not make sense.
- Observer discomfort: The reaction of others is a powerful indicator of what is considered to be normal.
- The more criteria that can be identified in an individual the higher the likelihood of abnormality.
what are the weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health?
- Practically applying this definition would be difficult given the highly conceptual nature of some criteria.
- This approach is labelled ideal mental health – appropriate as criteria maybe difficult to meet, self actualisation from Abraham Maslows viewpoint was only achieved by exceptional people - meaning that the majority would be labelled as abnormal from this approach.
- A list of desirable qualities will be biased, it reflects the author and will be limited to those of the same context. Jahoda’s criteria came from Western psychiatry and individualistic societies that emphasise autonomy and achievement. Collectivist societies encourage dependence and emphasises the needs of the group.
what are the weaknesses of deviation from social norms?
- Norms vary across/within cultures and this draws into question how practical it is to define abnormality in this way. E.g. Speaking to dead ancestors is a sign of respect in Maori culture but may be considered delusional in western culture. Consequently, there would be implications for diagnosis and individuals who moved from one culture to another.
- What society agrees upon as a set of norms can change over time. Homosexuality was only removed from the DSM in the early seventies.
- The construction of abnormality may reflect the hierarchy that exists in society and used to reinforce the power of some groups over others. This can lead to the abuse of human rights. Early in the 20th century in Russia individuals who disagreed with the government were called dissidents. Their attitudes were seen as symptoms of mental derangement and they were locked away in institutions.
what are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately?
• What we regard as a fully functioning person could be prescriptively based on our culture i.e. occupying highly visible social roles.
- Some people are idiosyncratic or non conformist but would not regard themselves as dysfunctional.
- The criteria involve making subjective judgements, what would cause discomfort in one observer may have no effect on another.
• This approach has ethical implications. For example. What course of action is to be taken when a person is not aware of their condition, is not suffering but is causing discomfort in others? Who decides?
