Definitions of abnormality 1 Flashcards
What are the first 2 defintions of abnormality?
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from social norms
What is statistical infrequency?
- Any humamn characteristic= normal distribution (majority of scores cluster around the average)
- Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic
- Any relatively usual behaviour can be thought of as ‘normal’
- Any behaviour that is uncommon can be seen as ‘abnormal’
What is an example of statistical infrequency?
IQ and intellectual disabiloty disorder:
- Average IQ is 100
- 68% of people have an IQ 85-115
- 2% have an IQ below 70 (ABNORMAL)
What is a strength of statistical infrequency?
I= Real world application
D= Used in clinical practice, as part of a formal diagnosis and as a way to access the severity of an individual’s symptoms (e.g. a diagnosis of IDD requires an IQ below 70). Beck depression inventory- score of 30+ indicates severe depression= abnormal
E= The value of statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
What is the limitation of statistical infrequency?
- I= Unusual characteristics can be positive
- D= For every person with an IQ below 70, there is another person with an IQ above 130, yet we would not think having a high IQ is abnormal. Also, a very low depression score on BDI is rare but not abnormal.This shows being unusual does not make someone abnormal
- E= This means statistical infrequency is never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality
Benefits vs problems with statistical infrequency
STRENGTH- some unusual people benefit from being classed as abnormal (IDD diagnosis ensures individuals can access support services)
LIMITATION- Not all statistical infrequent people benefit from labels- there is a social stigma attached to labels (someone with a low IQ can cope with their conditions)
E- likely to do more harm than good
What is deviation from social norms?
- Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
- We make a collective judgement about what is right
- Groups of people choose to define behaviour as ‘abnormal’ on the basis that it offends their sense of what is acceptable or the norm
How are norms specific to our culture?
- Relatively few univsersally abnormal behaviours are norms are relative culturally and over time
- E.g: homosexuality is NOT abnormal in the UK, but IS abnormal in some cultures (Brunei)
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
- A person with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible
- Society makes the judgement that psychopaths are abnormal, as they don’t conform to our moral standards
What is a strength of deviation from social norms?
I= Real world application
D= Deviation from social norms is used in clinical practice. Key defining characteristic of APD= failure to conform to culturally ethical behaviour, e.g: recklessness, aggression= these signs are all deviations from social norms. Such norms play a part in the diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder
E= Deviation from social norms criterion has value in psychiatry
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms?
I= Cultural and situational relativism
D= A person from one cultural group may label someone as abnormal using their standards rather than the other person’s standards. E.g: the experience of hearing voices is the norm in some cultures, but would be seen as abnormal in most parts of the UK. Within cultures, social norms differ, e.g: aggression in the family is more socially acceptable than in a corporate context
E= It’s difficult to judge deviation from social norms across culture
Human rights abuse
Deviation from social norms
- LIMITATION- Using deviation from social norms to define someone as abnormal carries the risk of unfair labelling, and leaves them open to human rights abuse
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STRENGTH- It can be argued we need to use deviation from social norms to diagnose conditions like antisocial personality disorder
E- definition may do more harm than good
