Definitions of abnormality (1)

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

• This when an individual has a less common characteristic (statistically uncommon)

Question 2

Give 2 examples of statistical infrequency

Answer 2

• Intellectually disability disorder ( low IQ)
• More depressed

Question 3

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

• This is when a persons behaves in a way different to how society expects them to behave (don’t conform to society standards)

Question 4

Example of deviating from social norms

Answer 4

• Antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy)
  behaves aggressive impulsive etc

Question 5

What is a strength of statistical infrequency definition?

Answer 5

Useful > It is used in clinical practice as part of formal diagnosis and a way to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms
- Diagnosis of IDD requires IQ below 70
- example of SI used in an assessment tool is Becks depression inventory where a score of 30+ indicates severe depression
- shows value of SI criteria in diagnosis

Question 6

What is limitation of statistical infrequency definition?

Answer 6

• infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative
• IQ above 130 - would not been seen as abnormal
• or someone with low depression score as abnormal
• Shows that being on unusual on one end of a psychological spectrum does not make someone abnormal
• not sufficient for the sole basis of abnormality

Question 7

What is a strength of deviation from social norms definition?

Answer 7

• usefulness > Used in clinical practice in diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder
• Key defining characteristics of ASPD is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour (violating rights of others, aggression etc)
• has value in psychiatry

Question 8

What is one limitation of deviation from social norms definition?

Answer 8

• social norms varies in different cultures & situations
• person may label someone as abnormal using their standards rather than the persons standards
• experiences of hearing voices (messages from ancestors) is a norm in some cultures
• in the UK sign of schizophrenia
• difficult to judge deviation from social norms across culture