defininitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
According to the statistical infrequency definition, when is a behaviour seen as abnormal? (2)
How is abnormality determined?
If it is statistically uncommon or not seen very often in society
By looking at the distribution of a particular behaviour within society
What is the average IQ in the UK?
What percentage of the UK have an IQ of between 85-155?
Which individuals would be classed as abnormal? This is classed as?
100
70%
IQ below 70 -Intellectual disability disorder
What is a strength of statistical infrequency?
PET
P: Real-world application
E: Statistical infrequency is useful in the diagnosis of intellectual disorder
T: Statistical infrequency is useful in psychiatric diagnosis
What is a weakness of statistical infrequency?
PET
P: Labelling an individual as abnormal can be unhelpful
E: E.g. someone with a low IQ may be living quite happily, without distress. Labelling>poor self-image
T: Labelling an individual as statistically infrequent could cause more distress to the individual, than the actual condition itself
What is a social norm?
Example?
What does deviating from these norms mean?
An unwritten rule about what is acceptable within a particular society
E.g. Joining a queue in a line
Any behaviour that does not conform to these standards=abnormal
What’s a clinical example of deviation from social norms?
Example of characteristics
Anti-social personality disorder
E.g. no sympathy, impulsiveness, irresponsible
What is a strength of deviation from social norms?
PET
P: Real world application
E: Useful in the diagnosis of anti-social personality disorder as deviation from social norms requires individuals to fail to conform to ethical standards
T: Useful in psychiatric diagnosis
What’s a weakness with deviation from social norms?
P: Low temporal validity
E: Social norms change over time e.g. homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness until 1973
T: reliance on the deviation from social norms may have resulted in violations of human rights
In failure to function adequately, an individual is considered abnormal if they…?
What did Rosenhan and Seligman propose?
Are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society
Signs of failure to cope e.g. suffering, violating moral standards, unpredicability, *causing distress to others
What is a strength of failure to function adequately?
PET
P: Considers the subjective personal experiences of the patient
E: Considers the thoughts and feelings of the person experiencing the issue, instead of making a judgment without taking the personal viewpoint of the sufferer to consideration
T: Useful model for assessing psychopathological behaviour
What is a weakness of failure to function adequately?
PET
P: Most people fail to function adequately at some point, but aren’t considered abnormal
E: E.g, when facing grief, this doesn’t mean we need psychiatric help
T: Definition cannot be applied in all situations
What does Jahoda suggest about deviation from ideal mental health?
Abnormal behaviour should be defined by the presence of particular characteristics, behaviours that deviate from ideal health
According to Jahoda, the more criteria missing, the more…?
What are Jahoda’s 8 criterias of deviation from ideal mental health?
Abnormal you are
We have no symptoms of distress
We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
We self-actualise
We can cope with stress
We have a realistic view of the world
We have good self-esteem and lack guilt
We are independent of other people
We can successfully work, love, enjoy leisure
What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?
PET
P: The criteria is comprehensive (inclusive)
E: Considers a broad range of criteria for mental health, and covers the person as a whole, taking into account many factors that can affect well-being
T: Holistic
What is a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?
P: Unrealistic criteria
E: When having grief, we might accidentally meet the criteria
T: Impractical for treatment, we do not know who to prioritise for treatment
