Defining Abnormality

Question 1

The 4 different definitions(ways of explaining) of
Abnormality

Answer 1

1)DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS

2)STATISTCAL DEVIATION

3)FAILURE TO Function ADEQUATELY

4)DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH

Question 2

How does DSN(deviation from social norms)
Define abnormality

Answer 2

When an individual doesn’t follow generally accepted rules in a society

                                   However

Every society has commonly accepted standards of behaviour

Question 3

What is an example of abnormality defined by DSN

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 3

People with antisocial personality disorder

As:they fail to meet accepted norms- they are extremely impulsive/aggressive
( characteritistcs of the disorder)

Question 4

A strength of Deviation from social norm as an definition of abnormality

Answer 4

It’s real world application/-usefulness

It’s used in clinical practice -
for example
when defining characteristics of antisocial personality disorder - all the signs of the disorder are deviations from social norms

Question 5

Another strength of deviation from social norms

Answer 5

Helps make abnormalities clear

As :the theory distinguish normal behaviour And abnormal behaviour in a society

Strength as: abnormalities can be spotted/treated quicker and better

Question 6

A drawback of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 6

Its temporary validity

As: definitions of socially normal behaviour can change over time

For example: homosexual marriage was against social norms, 50 years ago, now its socially accepted

Question 7

Another drawback of deviation from social norms (DSN)being an definition for abnormality

Answer 7

culturally bias

Because:cultural relativism(what is considered normal behaviour varies across cultures)
Social norms aren’t universal

Therefore:behaving in a certain way doesn’t simply define someone as abnormal

Question 8

How does FFA(failure to function adequately) definine abnormality

Answer 8

Someone who is unable to cope with the demands of everyday life

Therefore cant: hold down a job/maintain relationships/ basics standards of hygiene (everyday demands)

Question 9

How did Rosenham and seligman contribute to FFA as a definition of abnormality

Answer 9

They proposed a list of signs that show when someone isn’t coping/functioning adequately

Question 10

Rosenham and seligman proposed - somone isnt coping when:

Answer 10

1)Experience PERSONAL DISTRESS
Sign of many mental disorders

2)HAVE MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

(behaviour that interferes with an ur ability to lead a normal life life)

Question 11

What is the GAF scale?

Answer 11

Measure of how an individual functions in everyday life

according to rosenham and Seligmans list about functioning adequately

Question 12

How does DIMH(deviation from ideal mental health)
Define abnormality

Answer 12

Failing to have any one of the criteria for good mental health

Question 13

To show ideal mental health individuals be should have

Answer 13

1)have a Postive view on self

2)be focused on developing

3)can function independently

4)accurate view of reality

5)can form positive relationships

6)meet demands in different environments

Question 14

What is a strength of DIMH(DEVIATION IF IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH) as a definition of abnormality

Answer 14

ITS a comprehensive definition

As:it covers a broad range of criteria for mental health

In fact: it covers most of the reasons why people seek help with mental health

Strength as: provides a checklist allowing us to assess others/oursleves

Question 15

Another strength of DIMH(deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 15

Allows us to set/achieve goals

The criteria allows for goals to be set/
Focus on Achieving ideal mental health

Question 16

A weakness of DIMH as an definition of abnormality

Answer 16

Culturally bias definition

As:Cultural relativism -Diffferent cultures have different ideas about what is mentally healthy

For example:Ability to act independently(is a criteria)
In western countries it’s normal
However
Collectivist cultures, relying on others is encouraged

Question 17

Another weakness of DIMH(ideal mental health disorder) as an explanation of abnormality

Answer 17

It’s hard to show all the criteria at the same time

The criteria makes ideal mental health practically impossible to achieve

Question 18

How does statistical deviation define abnormality

Answer 18

Behaviour is classified as abnormal if its statistically unusual/rare

Question 19

An example of of statistical deviation defining someone as abnormaly

Answer 19

(IQQ)IQ disability disorder -few people will score above/below the average.
Therefore:they are unusual compared to statistics.

Question 20

What % were able to receive a diagnosis for IQQ(IQ disability disorder)

Answer 20

2% scored below average
These people are: rare/abnormal

Question 21

A strength of statistcal deviation as a definition of abnormality

Answer 21

Usefulness
PROVIDES CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR IDENTIFYING ABNORMALITY

E.G:The diagnosis of people with IQ disability disorder -

IQ less than 70- u have the disorder/ ur abnormal

Question 22

Another reason why statistical deviation is an useful Explaination of abnormality

Answer 22

Usefulness/Real world application

Used in most assessments of mental health patients

As: the assessments use a measurement of how severe their symptoms are compared to the statistical norm

Question 23

Weakness of statistcal deviation as an definition of abnormality

Answer 23

Rare/unsual characteristics can be postive

For example: someone with a high IQ isnt seen as abnormal/requiring treatment

Therefore: **statistical deviation alone cannot be used to make a diagnosis **

Question 24

Another weakness of statistcal deviation as definition of abnormality

Answer 24

There are mental illnesses that that** aren’t rare/unsual but common**

For example: millions of people are depress
Ed
This: undermines the approach

Question 25

A strength of FFA(failure to function adequately) as an definition of abnormality

Answer 25

Measurable
Becuase of the GAF scale
This means: the decision of whether a behaviour is abnormal can be made in an objective way

Question 26

What does it mean/why its a strength if something is objective

Answer 26

The feelings of the resarcher doesn’t affect it(no bias)

Question 27

Another strength of FFA

Answer 27

It’s observable

As:FFA can be seen by others

For example: not being able to hold down a job

This allows us to help those unable to help themselves

Question 28

A weakness of FFA as a definition of abnormality

Answer 28

People can be falsely labelled as abnormal

As:its hard to differentiate if someone is simply choosing an unusual lifestyles or genuinely failing to function adequately

For example:choosing to live “of grid” with no job/permanent house may be seen as failing to function

Weakness as: normal people who make unusual chooses can be falsely labelled

Question 29

Another weakness of FFA as a deviation of Abnormality (counter point to a strength of FFA

Answer 29

Abnormal behaviour may be missed(counter point to observable strength)

As:people may appear fine to others in society

But:they have distorted thinking which causes them distressthat they may hide