Defining Abnormality

Question 1

Three definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

1. Deviation from social norms,
2. Deviation from statistical norms,
3. Failure to function adequately.

Question 2

Evaluations of deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 2

1. Societies have their own standards of behaviour and attitudes; deviating from these can be seen as abnormal. However, cultures vary, so there isn’t one universal ‘normal’ or set of social ‘rules’. This causes ethnocentrism within the definition; individuals from differing cultures from the dominant could be classified as abnormal for behaviours/actions typical of their own cultures.
2. Ethical issues: another issue with this definition is that it can be used to justify the removal of ‘unwanted’ people from society.
3. Time: What is considered acceptable within set cultures changes over time. I.e., as recently as 1974 homosexuality was classified in the DSM as a disorder.

Question 3

Explain deviation from statistical norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 3

Abnormality, here, can be seen as statistically rare behaviour; expressed in terms of the normal distribution.

Question 4

Evaluations of deviation from statistical norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 4

1. Doesn’t consider the desirability of behaviour, just frequency. I.e., A very high IQ is just as abnormal as a low IQ, yet a high IQ is desirable and a low IQ is not.
2. There is no distinction between rare, slightly odd behaviour and rare, psychologically abnormal behaviour.
3. There is no definitive cut-off point where normal behaviour becomes abnormal behaviour.
4. Some behaviours considered psychologically abnormal are quite common, e.g., mild depression. Hassett and White (1989), argue that you cannot use statistical infrequency to define abnormality because of this. Using the statistical infrequency data, some disorders wouldn’t be classified as anything unusual.

Question 5

What is meant by failure to function adequately?

Answer 5

You cannot function adequately if you can’t cope with the demands of daily life.

Question 6

What are the criteria used for diagnosis within failure to function adequately?

Answer 6

1. Dysfunctional behaviour - that which goes against the accepted standards of behaviour,
2. Observer discomfort - that which causes other individuals to become uncomfortable,
3. Unpredictable behaviour - impulsive behaviour that seems to be uncontrollable,
4. Irrational behaviour - that which is unreasonable and illogical,
5. Personal distress - being affected by emotion to an excessive degree.

Question 7

What are the six conditions, as identified by Jahoda (1958), associated with ideal mental health?

Answer 7

1. Positive self-attitude,
2. Self-actualisation,
3. Resistance to stress,
4. Personal autonomy,
5. Accurate perception of reality,
6. Adaption to the environment.

Question 8

The Department of Health provides a guide to assess symptoms associated with mental health, what are these symptoms and how many should be present in order to classify as mental illness?

Answer 8

To classify as a mental illness, one or more of the following symptoms should be, not temporarily, present,
1. Impairment of intellectual functions, such as memory and comprehension,
2. Alterations to mood that lead to delusional appraisals of the past or future, or lack of any appraisal,
3. Delusional beliefs, sucha as of persecution or jealousy,
4. Disordered thinking, the person may be unable to appraise their situation or communicate with others.