defenitions of abnormality Flashcards
name the detentions of abormality
-statistical infrequency
-deviation from social norms
-failure to function adequately
-deviation from ideal mental health
statistical infrequency
occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic
usual behaviour/characteristics can be thought of as “normal” and any behaviour that is different to this is “abnormal”
Example of when statistical infrequency
measuring IQ and intellectual disability disorder
-majority of individual’s scores will cluster around the average
-the further we go above or below that average,the fewer people will obtain that score
-this is called the normal distribution
statistical infrequency evaluation
STRENGTH ~real-life application e.g the diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder
-we can use these diagnosis to treat people
-spot trends and current mental disorders
WEAKNESS ~ unusual characteristics can be positive .e. g: IQ scores at the higher end of the scale are considered abnormal.
=serious limitation as just because a few people display certain behaviour it does make the behaviour statistically abnormal but it doesn’t mean it requires treatment to return to normal.
=it would never be used to make a diagnosis
WEAKNESS ~ not everyone unusual benefits from a label.=where someone is living a happy fulfilled life,there is no benefit to them being labelled as abnormal regardless of how unusual they are .
=negative labels could they way others view them and the way they view themselves
deviation from social norms
behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
example of deviation from social norms
antisocial personality disorder
- it is implusive, aggressive, and irresponsible
-not conforming to moral standards
evaluation of deviation from social norms
WEAKNESS: cultural variation
-social norms vary tremendously from one generation to another and from one community to another.=e.g that a person from one cultural group may label someone from another culture as behaving abnormal due to their standards.
this creates problems for people from one culture living within another cultural group
WEAKNESS: can lead to human rights abuses.
Failure to function adequately
unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living.
e.g:nutrition and hygiene
rosenhan and seligman - signs to determine when someone is not coping
- when a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g maintaining eye contact / personal space
-when a person experienced severe personal distress
-when a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
example of failure to function adequately
intellectual disability disorder
evaluation of failure to function
STRENGTH:patient’s perspective
includes the subjective experience of the individual
deviation from ideal mental health
when an individual does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
jahodea’s good mental health criteria
-no symptoms or distress
-we are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
-we self-actualise (reach our potential)
-can cope with stress
-a realistic view of the world
-good self esteem and lack of guilt
-independent of other people
-can successfully work,love, and enjoy our leisure.
evaluation for deviation from ideal mental heath
STRENGTH: a comprehensive definition as it covers a broad range of criteria for mental health.=useful tool when assessing mental health.
WEAKNESS:cultural relativism
some ideas in Johodea’s classification of ideal mental health are specific to western European and north American cultures.= whats normal in one culture can be abnormal in another.e.g independence of others would not be favoured by all cultures such as collectivist as such traits are typical of individualist cultures.
WEAKNESS:sets an unrealistic high standard for mental health.
