Abnormality (Psychopathology) Flashcards
What is abnormality?
A certain feature or characteristic that considers someone “not normal”
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
-Deviation from social norms
-Failure to function adequately
-Deviation from ideal mental health
-Statistical Infrequency
-
What is deviation from social norms?
People who break norms (explicit/implicit rules of society) are seen as abnormal. Social norms can change over time and between cultures
What is a historical example of deviation from social norms
-Drapetomania: black slaves escaping captivity
-Homosexuality
What are some disadvantages of deviation from social norms?
-It is based on norms that operate at a certain time (relative) and times change. So what was acceptable 50 years ago may not be acceptable now.
-Trouble with this is that it could lead to the incarceration of an innocent person because of the norms at the time.
What is failure to function adequately?
The idea that people who struggle to perform everyday tasks are seen as abnormal e.g. washing, going to work
What are disadvantages of failure to function adequately?
-It’s difficult to decide who judges the criteria for certain behaviour
-Some people may be content with their lives and are unaware that they are not coping, so others may feel they are abnormal and judge them
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
A way of looking at what makes someone normal instead of what makes someone abnormal?
What makes someone have ideal mental health?
-No symptoms of distress
-We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately
-We self actualise (improve to reach our potential)
-Cope with stress
-Good self esteem and lack of guilt
-Independant
-Enjoy our work and leisure
What are some disadvantages of deviation from ideal mental health?
-Nearly all of us would be considered abnormal because it is impossible to achieve all of the criteria
-We can’t measure mental health in the same way as physical health because they’re very different
What is statistical infrequency?
Behaviour that is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon e.g. if you have an IQ that isn’t between 85-115, you are abnormal
What are some advantages of statistical infrequency?
+Good real life application e.g. intelligence. Mental disorders are measured on how severe the symptoms are as compared to statistical infrequency
What are some disadvantages of statistical infrequency?
-IQ scores over 130 are just as abnormal as IQ scores under 70, we don’t consider high intelligence as a sign of needing help
-If someone is happy with their life and they have high self esteem but have a low IQ, why should they be considered as abnormal? This could have a negative impact on someones identity and how they view themselves
