Culture and Abnormal Behaviour

Question 1

What are the four methods for defining abnormal behaviour?

Answer 1

Statistical explanation
- Concerned with a comparison to the average person
Norms and societal expectations explanation
- Concerns with what the mainstream society deems appropriate
Distress explanation
- Concerned with psychological irregularities
Impairment explanation
- Concerned with disruptions to ‘normal’ human functioning arising from psycho-physical irregularities

Question 2

What are the problems with the statistical analysis? (4)

Answer 2

Not all disorders are rare
- Many people are behaviorally deviant from the average (e.g. low mood, anxiety)
Not all rare behaviour is disordered

Are geniuses and artists abnormal?

• Different perhaps?
• Rare negative vs. positive behaviors
• Where is the cut off?

Question 3

What are the problems with the societal norm definition?

Answer 3

Emphasises conformity

• Cultural specificity – different societies, different norms
• Potential for abuse

Question 4

What are the problems with the distress definition? (3)

Answer 4

1. There is a normal level of distress
2. Some disorders don’t involve visible distress or suffering
   - No symptoms of suffering at onset of PTSD, develops later
3. Some cultural groups may have values that prohibit reporting or focusing on subjective distress
   - Might be viewed as a ‘nut job’ –> ableist discrimination
   - People may begin to avoid you – wacko/weird dude!

Question 5

What are the problems with the impairment definition? (4)

Answer 5

1. Based on a judgment call by a clinician, or by a society
2. Not all disorders impair human functioning
3. Not all impairments are considered a disorder
   - (e.g., grief/mourning)
4. Impairment is a major theme in the dominant psychopathological classification system

Question 6

What is the definition of abnormal behaviour?

Answer 6

When an event (social, psychological or physiological) prevents people from carrying out behaviours that they ordinarily would, or engage in behaviours they would ordinarily not do, within a given society.

Question 7

What are the two methods of classifying psychopathology?

Answer 7

• The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) by the World Health Organization (WHO)
• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Question 8

What is the absolutist perspective?

Answer 8

• Psychopathologies are invariant across cultures in origin and expression

Question 9

What is the universalist approach?

Answer 9

Psychopathologies present in some form in all cultures

- Origin and expressions vary between cultures

Question 10

What is the relativist perspective?

Answer 10

Psychopathologies unique to culture

- only understandable in terms of culture

Question 11

What are substance and organic disorders and which perspective best fits?

Answer 11

Organic –> illnesses like dementia
These disorders are found in all cultures
- absolutist perspective
- Cultural factors might still affect rates and expressions of these disorders in different cultures
–> e.g., alcohol abuse may not be as prevalent in Malay culture
–> Diagnosis may be quicker because it is uncommon

Question 12

What perspective is most helpful when understanding schizophrenia and depression? (7)

Answer 12

A study across nine different countries found that schizophrenia was present in all countries, but with different prevalent symptoms

• US: auditory hallucinations
• Nigeria: visual hallucinations

The cultural meaning of “being depressed” varies widely across cultures and languages.

• Acculturation to Western lifestyle increases the chances of depression (Prince, 1968).
• Differences in cultural practices (e.g. mourning rituals) influence depression across cultures (catharsis).
• Universalist perspective

Question 13

What approach is best for culture bound syndromes?

Answer 13

Relativist

Question 14

What four points apply to all perspectives?

Answer 14

• Culture and mental disorders are inextricably linked.
• While some disorders appear universal, there are many differences related to manifestation, expression, symptomatology, and course of illness.
• A list of culture bound syndromes does not accurately represent the true or sole role of culture in determining mental illnesses.
• Essential to examine mental disorders within a cultural framework (for diagnosis and potentially for treatment).