Abnormality definition + few other bits Flashcards
What are the 4 abnormalities ?
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from ideal mental health
Definition of deviation from social norms? (AO1)
Social norms are unwritten behavioral expectations that vary depending on culture, time and context. “social deviants” are individuals who break the norms and are seen as abnormal.
Example of deviation from social norms ?
Queuing.
Positive + of deviation from social norms ? (A03)
Respects cultural differences, not imposing a set western definition of abnormality on non-westerners.
Negative - of deviation from social norms ? (AO3)
Results in society punishing people expressing their individual individuality in unconventional ways.
Definition of failure to function adequately ? (A01)
Individuals have an inability to cope with challenges of daily life such as maintaining personal hygiene. They show maladaptive behaviour; their irrational and un-predictive actions go against long term best interests. They show personal aguish and observers feel discomfort in their presence.
Example of failure to function adequately
Failure to maintain personal hygiene
Negative - of failure to function adequately
Subjective due to opinion of what is coping might be different to another person
Positive + of failure to function adequately
Definition respects the patients own lived experience and personal situation.
Definition of statistical infrequency (A01)
Abnormal behaviour is behavior that is very rare. How common behaviours/traits are can be measured statistically in comparison to the rest of the population unusual behaviours defined as abnormal.
Example of statistical infrequency
Defining low IQ as someone who is two standard deviations below the average, representing 2.28% of the population.
Negative - of statistical infrequency
Some unusual traits are positive like high IQ
Positive + of statistical infrequency
More objective than other measures as uses standard deviations.
Definition of deviations from ideal mental health (A01)
Humanistic definition by Jahoda in 1958. Rather than defining abnormality, defines features of ideal mental health and deviation from there indicates abnormality.
Six features of deviations from ideal mental health:
Environmental mastery Autonomy Resisting Stress Self Actualization Positive attitude to yourself Accurate perception of reality
