definitions of abnormality

Question 1

1 - statistical infrequency

Answer 1

those behaviours which are extremely rare - that stand out from the majority within statistics. The majority is the norm

Question 2

evaluation of statistical infrequency

Answer 2

• some ‘abnormal’ behaviours are desired (e.g. high IQ)
  so we can’t tell desirable and undesirable apart
• the cut off point is subjective - where does normality stop and abnormality stop?
• some cultures have different norms

Question 3

2 - deviation from social norms

Answer 3

deviation from unstated rules about how you’re supposed to behave. Anyone who deviates from societies norms is seen as abnormal

Question 4

evaluation of deviation from social norms

Answer 4

• social norms change over time
• related to context and degree
• distinguishes between desirable and undesirable

Question 5

3 - failure to function adequately

Answer 5

people who may suffer distress with everyday tasks that don’t usually require thinking may be seen as abnormal

Question 6

evaluation of failure to function adequately

Answer 6

• you may not always be able to tell if someone is failing to function adequately (mentally)
• behaviour may be functional

Question 7

4 - ideal mental health

Answer 7

absence of the criteria for positive mental health e.g. self-attitudes, autonomy, accurate perception etc.

Question 8

evaluation of ideal mental health

Answer 8

• criteria is unrealistic and hard to measure

- positive outlook in humanistic approaches