Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
Statistical infrequency - (A01)
Definition - Numerically unusual behaviour or characteristic.
Example: intellectual disability disorder - IQ below 70 (bottom 2%) is part of the diagnosis of IDD.
Statistical infrequency - Evaluation (A03)
Real-world application - Useful in diagnosis (e.g. IDD) and assessment (e.g. BDI for depression).
Unusual characteristics can be positive - Some unusual characteristics would not be judged abnormal e.g. high IQ.
Evaluation extra: Benefits versus problems - Some people with low IQ function adequately and don’t benefit from being labelled (social stigma).
Deviation from social norms - (A01)
Definition - Social judgments about what is acceptable.
Norms are culture-specific - What is normal in one culture may not be in another (e.g. homosexuality).
Example: antisocial personality disorder - Impulsive, aggressive, irresponsible behaviour is not socially acceptable in many cultures.
Deviation from social norms - Evaluation (A03)
Real-world application - Used to diagnose some disorders e.g. antisocial and schizotypal personality disorder.
Cultural and situational relativism - Different standards, therefore hard to make social judgements (e.g. hearing voices).
Evaluation extra: Human rights abuses - Social norm approach maintains control over minority groups, e.g. women (nymphomania) and slaves (drapetomania), but useful e.g. for antisocial personality disorder.
Failure to function adequately - (A01)
Definition - Inability to cope with demands of everyday life.
When is someone failing? - Rosenhan and Seligman listed signs e.g. non-conformity to social rules, personal distress, severe distress or danger to self or others.
Example: intellectual disability disorder - Failing to function is part of the diagnosis of IDD as well as low IQ.
Failure to function adequately - Evaluation (A03)
Represents a threshold for help - Provides a way to identify when someone needs professional help.
Discrimination and social control - May lead to people living non-standard lifestyles being judged as abnormal.
Evaluation extra: Failure to function can be normal - Most of us experience such failure e.g. bereavement, but still may require help.
Deviation from ideal mental health - (A01)
Definition - Jahoda considered normality rather than abnormality.
What does ideal mental health look like? - Includes lack of symptoms, rationality, self-actualisation, coping with stress, realistic world-view.
Deviation from ideal mental health - Evaluation (A03)
A comprehensive definition - Includes most of the reasons anyone might seek help.
May be culture-bound - Some ideas e.g. self-actualisation are specific to Western cultures, and independence varies within Western Cultures (e.g. Germany versus Italy).
Evaluation extra: Extremely high standards - Few people ever meet them, but useful as a goal for mental health.
