Abnormality Flashcards
1
Q
What is statistical infrequency ?
A
- A persons trait/thinking/behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual
- any measurement which falls outside of a defined field (2 SD) can therefore be classed as abnormal
2
Q
What are the positive evaluations for statistical infrequency?
A
- the objectivity of the definition allows impartial and fair assessment of abnormality -> building a cut off allows practitioners to see if behaviour is statistically rare
- useful practical applications -> when people fall into the ‘abnormal’ category things can be put into place to help them
3
Q
What are the negative evaluations for statistical infrequency?
A
- abnormality is not this black and white -> and IQ of 68 and 73 is practically the same, yet according to the theory one is abnormal and the other is normal
- Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent and rare -> illnesses such as depression are not rare (20% of the population will suffer at some point in their lives)
4
Q
What is deviation from social norms?
A
- goes against what most people in society would consider acceptable
- refers to abnormality as social deviant behaviour
- we have set expectations of behaviour within society
5
Q
What are the positive evaluations for deviation from social norms?
A
- takes into account different types of norms -> in this case situational and developmental norms
- By society setting the standards of its own expected behaviour and abnormality being considered the breaking of the norms, it allows therapists/society to intervene and help when necessary
6
Q
What are the negative evaluations for deviation from social norms?
A
- The subjectivity of this definition does limit its usefulness -> does not allow fair equal assessment of what is normal and what is abnormal
- Social norms change over time -> homosexuality was ‘abnormal’ 50 years ago
- influenced by cultural relativism
7
Q
What is deviation from mental health?
A
- Behaviour is abnormal if a person deviates too far from the expected state of ideal mental health
- it attempts to define ideal mental health instead of abnormality
8
Q
What are Jahoda’s 6 characteristics of ideal mental health?
A
- Positive attitude towards oneself
- Accurate perception of reality
- Autonomy
- Resisting stress (integration)
- Self-actualisation
- Environmental mastery
9
Q
What are the positive evaluations for deviation from ideal mental health?
A
- Definition is refreshingly positive -> others look at all the negative aspects that lead to abnormality
- Having 6 criteria to work towards helps people set goals -> can be effectively used in therapy
10
Q
What are the negative evaluations for deviation from ideal mental health?
A
- Criteria are very idealistic -> for some people ideal mental health will never be reached according to the criteria
- not all aspects are important in some cultures -> in collectivistic cultures high self esteem is seen as very individualistic
11
Q
What is failure to function adequately?
A
- Behaviour is abnormal if the person is unable to clean themselves, hold down a job etc -> lead everyday life
- Rosenham and Seligman proposed 7 features that appear in abnormal behaviour
12
Q
What are the 7 features of personal dysfunction?
A
- Personal Distress (suffering)
- Maladaptive Behaviour
- Unpredictability
- Irrationality
- Observer Discomfort
- Violation of moral qualities
- Unconventionality (vividness)
13
Q
What are the positive evaluations for failure to function adequately?
A
- relatively easy to assess the consequences of failure to function adequately -> measured objectively by seeing how much of the criteria are being met
- definition seems more realistic as its not as black or white -> people can suffer from a few, they don’t have to suffer from all
14
Q
What are the negative evaluations for failure to function adequately?
A
- deciding if someone has one of the features is based on subjective opinion -> what causes observer discomfort in one person may not in another
- Culturally relative -> Greeks smashing plates
