Defining And Explaining Psychological Abnormaility

Question 1

Three ways of defining abnormality

Answer 1

Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

Deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Doing what is not seen as normal in the eyes of society, for example, a 28 year old man playing with children’s toys

Question 3

Limitations of deviation from social norms

Answer 3

Someone may go against the social norms but may not be deemed as abnormal - eg. Lady Gaga wearing a meat dress
Something seen as abnormal in the past may be acceptable now - eg. Homosexuality

Question 4

Failure to function adequately

Answer 4

Failing to go about your normal everyday routine, for example to work, study or maintain relationships

Question 5

Limitations of failure to function adequately

Answer 5

Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction - eg someone who is depressed may still go to school
Some people don’t function adequately but do not have an abnormality - eg someone who is recent,y bereaved

Question 6

Deviation from the ideal mental health

Answer 6

Marie Jahoda came up with 6 factors that define ‘ideal mental health’ and said if you didn’t meet any of the six them you have a mental disorder. PARAMS

Question 7

Ideal mental health

Answer 7

Perception
Autonomy 
Resistance 
Attitudes
Mastery
Self actualisation

Question 8

Perception

Answer 8

Being able to see the environment as it is, without hearing voices or seeing things that’s do not exist

Question 9

Autonomy

Answer 9

Having control of your own future and being able to do what you want

Question 10

Resistance (to stress)

Answer 10

Being able to get over periods of stress

Eg moving house, studying for exams

Question 11

Attitudes

Answer 11

Being able to think positively about yourself, you can accept your faults but generally like the person you are

Question 12

Mastery

Answer 12

Being able to react to changes in the environment and adapt yourself accordingly

Question 13

Self actualisation

Answer 13

Being able to fulfil your potential and not waste your life doing things you don’t want to do

Question 14

Limitations of deviation from the ideal mental health

Answer 14

Over demanding criteria - eg. Athletes may not all reach their full potential by going to the olympics but this may not be due to a disorder
Cultural Variation- eg. Women in Asian countries don’t make decisions for themselves but they are mentally healthy

Question 15

Limitations with defining abnormalities

Answer 15

Risks of labelling/stigmatising an individual

Stigma causes isolation so these labels can cause a self fulfilling prophecy