Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
Statistical infrequency
Someone may be considered abnormal if their behaviour is rare or anomalous (statistically unusual)
Statistics define the norm for any group of people., measured on a normal distribution curve
In any population, the majority of people are clustered around the mean for any characteristic.
Those who fall more than 2 SD away from the mean are considered statistically rare and abnormal.
Deviation from social norms
Someone may be considered abnormal if they go against or break social norms.
Ethical implications of using deviation from social norms
Research into deviation from social norms could be used for social control
Failure to function adequately
Someone may be considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of daily life
E.g. it is expected that people should cope with the demands of a job and relationships and someone may be considered abnormal if they cannot cope with these demands
R and S
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) identified a set of abnormal characteristics that show a person is failing to function adequately
Abnormal characteristics
Suffering
Maladaptiveness
Unconventional behaviour
Unpredictability and loss of control
Irrationality
Observer discomfort
Violation of moral standards
Suffering
Most abnormal individuals report suffering
Maladaptiveness
Behaviour that stops a person achieving major life goals, such as keeping a job or maintaining a relationship
Unconventional behaviour
Showing unusual, vivid or distinctive behaviour
Unpredictability and loss of control
Most normal people behave in a fairly predictable way, often abnormal people do not
Irrationality
Behaviour that isnt rational
Observer discomfort
Behaving in a way that causes the observer to feel uncomfortable or disgusted
Violation of moral standards
Breaking normal codes of conduct, behaving in a morally unacceptable way
