Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
Cultural relativism
The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates.
Deviation from social norms
Abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules is considered abnormal
DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders)
A list of mental disorders is used to diagnose mental disorders. For each disorder, a list of clinical characteristics is given.
Statistical infrequency
Abnormality is defined as that behaviour that is extremely rare, i.e any behaviour that is found in very few people are regarded as abnormal
Some abnormal behaviours are desirable
AO3 Statistical infrequency
Very few people have an IQ over 150 but this abnormality is desirable no undesirable. Equally, there are some ‘normal’ behaviours there are undesirable. Eg experiencing depression is relatively common.
The cut-off point is subjective (AO3 Statistical infrequency) (limitation)
Decide where to separate normality from abnormality. eg. one of the symptoms of depression is ‘difficulty sleep’. some people might think abnormal sleep is less than 6 hours a night on average, others may think the cut-off should be 5 hours
Deviation from ideal mental health
Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality.
Cultural relativism (AO3 Statistical infrequency)
An issue is that behaviours that are statistically infrequent in one culture may be statistically more frequent in another. Eg. one of the symptoms of schizophrenia is claiming to hear voices. However, this is an experience that is common in some cultures
Link sentence: This demonstrates that in practice that there are no universal standards or rules for labelling a behaviour as abnormal
Susceptible to abuse. (AO3 Deviation from social norms) limitation
What is socially acceptable now may not have been socially acceptable 50 years ago. eg today homosexuality is acceptable in most countries in the world but in the past, it was included under sexual and gender identity disorders.
Deviance is related to context and degree (AO3 Deviation from social norms) limitation
Judgements of deviation are often related to the context of behaviour. Eg. a person on a beach wearing a bikini is regarded as normal, whereas if someone was to wear the same thing in a classroom would be regarded as abnormal.
Link sentence: This shows that social deviance on its own cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality, as it is inevitably related to both context and degree
