definitions of abnormality 1 Flashcards
statistical frequency
normal behaviour = only behaviour that is considered usual or normal .The majority is considered normal
abnormal behaviour = different behaviour any behaviour that deviates from the average can be seen as abnormal.minority is abnormal
a persons thinking or behaviour would be considered to be an indication of abnormality if it was found numerically (statisically ) rare
definition uses statistics to determine if someone is abnormal
ao3 strengths (statsistical infrequency)
useful in clinical assessments
diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder(IDD)
only 2% of the population has an iq below 70 and these people care diagnosed with Idd
This definition has a real world application as it is used in clinical diagnosis
9
ao3 limitation (statsistical infrequency)
unusual characteristics can be positive
iq over 140 is statistically abnormal but doesn’t require treatment
and therefore should not be classed as abnormal behaviour
This definition does not make this distinction
deviation from social norms
social norms are societies unwritten rules for acceptable behaviour which deviates from these norms is considered abnormal
ao3 deviation from social norms limitation
historical issues
eg homosexuality
societies perception of deviant behaviour changes overtime
what was once abnormal in the past may be consumed]
definition doesn’t account for such changes
social norms stength
does distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour this makes it more effective than the statistical infrequency definition which ignore this