definitions

Question 1

what are the 3 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

deviation from social norms

What does deviation from social norms mean?

Answer 2

behaviour which is considered anti-social or undesirable by the majority of social members.

Question 3

deviation from social norms

what are social norms?

Answer 3

standards of acceptable behaviour that are set by the social group and followed by by those in groups

Question 4

deviation from social norms-limitations

name the 3 limitations of deviation from social norms

Answer 4

susceptible to change
context and degree
cultural relativism

Question 5

deviation from social norms-limitations

explain susceptible to change

Answer 5

social norms vary as time changes e.g.homosexuality.

Question 6

deviation from social norms-limitations

explain context and degree

Answer 6

There is not a clear line between what is an abnormal deviation and what it simply more harmless eccentricity. Social deviance, on its own, cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality, it is related to context and degree of behaviour. E.g. swimsuit at beach and classroom

Question 7

deviation from social norms-limitations

explain cultural relativism

Answer 7

A diagnosis may be different for the same person in 2 different cultures. There is no universal standards or rules for labelling a behaviour as abnormal.

Question 8

failure to function adequately

what does this mean?

Answer 8

when someone experiences suffering and so experiences an inability to cope with everyday activities.

Question 9

failure to function adequately-limitations

name the 3 limitations to failure to functions adequately

Answer 9

who judges
adaptive or maladaptive
cultural relativism

Question 10

failure to function adequately-limitations

explain who judges?

Answer 10

Someone needs to decide if someone behavior is failure to function adequately. It may be the patient themselves is experiencing personal distress, they then determine that this behaviour is undesirable.
Or it could be the patient is content with their behaviour but others find it uncomfortable ad label their behaviour as abnormal

Question 11

failure to function adequately-limitations

explain adaptive or maladaptive behaviour

Answer 11

some dysfunctional behaviour may be adaptive and functional for the individual

Question 12

failure to function adequately-limitations

explain adaptive or maladaptive behaviour

Answer 12

some dysfunctional behaviour may be adaptive and functional for the individual. Some behaviors can lead to extra attention from others.

Question 13

failure to function adequately-limitations

explain cultural relativism

Answer 13

definitions of adequate functioning are also related to cultural ideas of how ones life should be lived. The standard of one culture is being used to measure another. E.g. lower class and non-white patients are more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders-because their lifestyles are non-traditional and this mat lead to a judgement of failing to function adequately.

Question 14

deviation from ideal mental health

explain what this means/

Answer 14

Jahoda pointed out that we define physical illness by looking at the absence of signs of physical health. Why not do the same with mental illness? Jahoda identified 6 criteria that if were missing, indicates abnormality.

Question 15

deviation from ideal mental health

what are the 6 criteria Jahoda found?

Answer 15

self-attitudes
personal growth and self-actualisation
integration
autonomy
having an accurate perception of reality
mastery f the environment

Question 16

deviation from ideal mental health

what does self attitudes mean?

Answer 16

having high self esteem and a strong sense of indentitiy

Question 17

deviation from ideal mental health

what does personal growth and self-actualisation mean?

Answer 17

the extent to which an individual develops to their full capabilities

Question 18

deviation from ideal mental health

what does integration mean?

Answer 18

being able to cope with stressful situations

Question 19

deviation from ideal mental health

what does autonomy mean?

Answer 19

being independent and self regualting

Question 20

deviation from ideal mental health

what does mastery of the environment mean?

Answer 20

ability to love, function at work, solve problems etc

Question 21

deviation from ideal mental health-limitations

what are the 3 limitations to deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 21

who can achieve all these criteria?
is mental health the same as physical health?
cultural relativism

Question 22

deviation from ideal mental health-limitations

explain who can achieve all these criteria

Answer 22

Not all of us can say we are all of those criteria, so how many need to be lacking before someone would be judges as abnormal?

Question 23

deviation from ideal mental health-limitations

explain is mental health the same as physical health

Answer 23

is it possible some mental illnesses also have physical causes, some do but many do not. They are the consequences of life experiences, it is unlikely that we could diagnose mental abnormality in the same way

Question 24

deviation from ideal mental health-limitations

explain cultural relativism

Answer 24

Many of the criteria are culture-bound. If you apply these criteria elsewhere in the world e.g. non-Western cultures, you will find a higher incidence of abnormality.