Definition Of Abnormality Flashcards
How many methods of defining abnormality is there
4
What are the 4 ways to define abnormality
Statistical infrequency, deviation from social normals, failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health
What is the deviation from social norms
It concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
Is it noticeable when a behaviour represents a deviation from social norms
Yes as we can identify when people don’t act the way we expect them too
How is “abnormal” defined socially
It is defined on the basis that it offends their sense of what is acceptable or the normal and we make a collective judgment as a society
How do norms differ
Norms are are specific to the culture we live in, the generation we live in ect..
How is universally abnormal behaviour found
It s based on the basis that they breach social normals
What is an example of something that is abnormal in som places and times but normal in others
Homosexuality, more normal now then in the past and in certain cultures it is completely forbidden but in others it is perfectly fine
What is the main disorder that is associated with the deviation from social norm
Antisocial Personality Disorder
What are the characteristics associated with people with APD
They are impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible
What is one of the main symptoms of APD that psychiatrist look for when diagnosing
An absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour which simply means that society has creates unwritten rules of what is deemed is normal and psychopaths are deemed as abnormal because they don’t conform to our moral standards
What is statistical infrequency
It is when an individual has a less common characteristic and is part of the ‘most… or least…’ part of a category
How is statistical infrequency expressed
Through normal distribution graphs
What is the most common example of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
IQ
Explain the statistical infrequency of IQ
IQ is a human characteristic where majority of the score will cluster around the average ad within a relative range and the we have the people that fall out f the average range either by having a higher IQ than normal and also with a lower IQ than usual. Both are labelled as abnormal.
What is the range of normals peoples IQ
85-115
How many people are within the range of 85-115
68%
How may score under 70
2%
What is the disorder associated with abnormal IQ scored
Intellectual disability disorder
What is a strength of deviation from social norms
Real world application/ usefulness as this is used in clinical practice. Examples being it helps defining characteristics of antisocial and abnormal behaviour . It helps with diagnosis of certain personality disorders. It has value in psychiatry
what is a limitation of deviation of cultural norms
There is variability between social norms in different cultures and different situations. This is due to different cultures having different standards on certain behaviours and maybe seeing one type more abnormal than another cultures
What is a strength of statistical infrequency
It’s real world application ad usefulness and and this is because it is used jn a clinical practice as both part of a formal diagnosis and as. Way to express severity of ones condition. An example of a diagnostic tool is the Beck Depression Inventory. This shows the value statistical infrequency has on clinical practice
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency
Infrequency characteristics can be both positive and negative. For example both people with an IQ lower than 70 and above 130 are abnormal however we would not think that having a high IQ is abnormal. These examples show hat being usual at one end of a spectrum can’t solely make someone abnormal
What is failure to function adequately
When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of a day to day living
Who studied failure to function adequately
Rosenhan and seligman
What is the list that is used to determine if someone isn’t coping
.when one no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules
.when a person experiences sever personal distress
.when a persons behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
What is an example of failing to function adequately
Intellectual disability Disorder
What is a strength of failing to function adequately
It represents a threshold for help and provides a criteria where individuals can be treated according to their severity as there is a degree to mental disorders
