Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
Outline deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality.
A person is considered abnormal if they deviate from the social norms within society.
Norms are culture specific and change over time e.g., homosexuality is now accepted in the UK
Example - antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) - People might lack empathy and moral judgements
Evaluate deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality.
Strengths:
+Real world applications – e.g. used to diagnose some disorders such as psychopathy which can help when rehabilitating criminals, schizotypical personality disorder which is characterized as being ‘strange’.
+ This definition is needed to identify certain disorders.
Weaknesses:
-Cultural relativism – cultures have different norms so abnormality differs between cultures.
e.g. For example hearing voices in the UK is seen as abnormal however in some African communities it is seen as a message from ancestors
-Situational relativism - What is abnormal in one context/situation may be normal in another. Abnormality differs within cultures. e.g. many CEO’s score highly on psychopathy
e.g. being deceitful in a relationship is seen as socially unacceptable yet acceptable within corporate business
-Difficult to establish if someone is abnormal or just eccentric e.g. collectors of pop memorabilia
Outline failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality.
A person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life.
Rosenhan and Seligman: listed signs e.g. non conformity to social rules, personal distress, severe distress to themselves or others.
Example- Will Smith has been showing signs of poor mental health as shown by his encounter with Chris Rock at the Oscars. He had a lack of standard interpersonal rules as he invaded Chris Rock’s personal space and slapped him.
Evaluate failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality.
Strengths:
+ Real world applications – e.g. provides a way to diagnose someone as needing professional help,
For example if a person has depression the person will seek help when they are struggling to get up, go to work etc.
+A failure to function is no less real just because the cause is clear e.g. in bereavement. Some people need professional help to adjust to situations like these.
Weaknesses:
-Discrimination – people living alternative lifestyles may be judged as abnormal
e.g. people who live ‘off grid’ and are New Age travellers, spiritualists, extreme sports such as base jumpers
-1 in 4 people will have a mental illness at any one time. It is normal for people to not function adequately when going through a bereavement etc. and therefore should not be labelled.
-Some people may have a mental disorder but still function adequately e.g. Anthony Hopkins.
Outline deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality.
A person is considered abnormal if they do not meet the criteria needed for ideal mental health suggested by Jahoda: e.g. no symptoms of distress, self-actualise, cope with stress, good self-esteem, independent and can work successful, love and enjoy lives
Example -. depression
Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality.
Strengths:
+ Real world applications – e.g. includes reasons a person might seek help for mental health.
+Acts as a checklist/criteria for conversations with metal health practitioners e.g. counsellor.
Weaknesses:
-Cultural relativism – e.g. views on independence differ between Germany v China. In America there is a big market for mental health and personal growth, whereas in others there isn’t.
-Most people would be defined as abnormal according to the criteria.
Outline statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality.
A person’s trait, thinking or behavior is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual.
Example - . Intellectual disability disorder (IQ below 70)
Evaluate statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality.
Strengths:
+Real world applications – e.g. diagnosing intellectual disability disorder
+Real world applications – e.g. depression using Beck’s depression inventory (BDI) if a score of over 30
Weaknesses:
-Some statistically rare behaviours are desirable e.g. high IQ
-Implies that the presence of abnormal behaviour in people should be rare or statistically unusual, which is not the case.
1 in 4 people will suffer a mental illness at some point in their life.
