Abnormality - Definitions Flashcards
What are the 3 points defining abnormality?
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health
In terms of deviating from social norms, give an explicit and implicit social rule
Explicit: Laws
Implicit: Personal space
Give an example of not being able to function adequately
Not being able to hold down a job / taking part in social activities
Who proposed the ideal mental health criteria?
Jahoda
List 3 of the criteria for ideal mental health
- Positive attitudes towards one’s self
- Resistance to stress
- Accurate perception of reality
What does a positive attitude towards the self involve?
Accepting one’s limitations and possibilities. Viewing realistically and objectively
What does resistance to stress mean?
The ability to tolerate anxiety without disintegration, and having good coping strategies for stressful situations. People more vulnerable to stress are more likely to develop psychological problems.
What does an accurate perception of reality involve?
Seeing life in realistic terms; not overly optimistic/pessimistic.
What could being overly positive lead to?
Being vulnerable to others taking advantage of them
What could being overly negative lead to?
Being more likely to develop a depressive disorder
List 3 limitations of ‘deviation from social norms’
- Change with time
- Risk of abuse
- Cultural issue
Explain ‘change with time’ as a limitation of ‘deviation from social norms’
Abnormality beliefs and social norms of morally acceptable behaviour change over time
Explain ‘risk of abuse’ as a limitation of ‘deviation from social norms’
Risk that those who deviate are labelled ‘mad’ and are treated accordingly
Explain ‘cultural issues’ as a limitation of ‘deviation from social norms’
Western cultures tend to believe that white population behaviour is the social norm and a deviation by other ethnic groups indicates psychological abnormality
List 2 limitations of ‘failure to function adequately’
- Exceptions to the rule
2. Dysfunction is not necessarily an indicator of all disorders
Explain ‘exceptions to the rule’ as a limitation of ‘failure to function adequately’
In certain situation, the failure to function adequately is understandable due to the context, but these people are not necessarily abnormal as the behaviour is just temporary
Explain ‘dysfunction not being an indicator of all disorders’ as a limitation of ‘failure to function adequately’
Psychological disorders may not prevent a person from functioning normally; someone could maintain adequate functioning despite clinical levels of a disorder
List 3 limitations of ‘deviations from ideal mental health’
- Difficulty of self-actualizing
- Positive benefits of stress
- Cultural issues
Explain ‘difficulty of self-actualizing’ as a limitation of ‘deviations from ideal mental health’
In reality, very few people achieve their full potential in life, therefore most would score low on this criteria
Explain ‘positive benefits of stress’ as a limitation of ‘deviations from ideal mental health’
Some people work more effectively under stress
Explain ‘cultural issues’ as a limitation of ‘deviations from ideal mental health’
Jahoda’s ideas are based on Western ideals
What format would you use if asked to outline a limitation of a definition of abnormality?
- STATE
- EXPLAIN
- EXAMPLE
