Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

Cultural relativism

AO1

Answer 1

The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates.

Question 2

Deviation from social norms

AO1

Answer 2

Abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules is considered abnormal

Question 3

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders)

AO1

Answer 3

A list of mental disorders is used to diagnose mental disorders. For each disorder, a list of clinical characteristics is given.

Question 4

Statistical infrequency

AO1

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Some abnormal behaviours are desirable

AO3 Statistical infrequency

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

The cut-off point is subjective (AO3 Statistical infrequency) (limitation)

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Deviation from ideal mental health

AO1

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Failure to Function adequatley

AO1

Answer 8

People ar life judged on their ability to go about daily life. If they can’t do this and also experiencing distress (or others are distressed bu their behaviour) then it is consirdered a sign of abnormality.

Question 9

Cultural relativism (AO3 Statistical infrequency)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Susceptible to abuse.

(AO3 Deviation from social norms) limitation

Answer 10

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.

L: Therefore, if we define abnormality in terms of devaition from social norms, there is a real danger of creeating definitions based on prevailing social morals and attitudes.

Question 11

Deviance is related to context and degree (AO3 Deviation from social norms) limitation

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Failure to function adequatley
Who judges
PEEL

Answer 12

P: There are discussions to who judges whether a person decides if someone is failing to function adequatley?

E: For example, if a person is experencing personal distress, for example is unable to get to work or eat regular meals, they may recognise that this is undesirable and may feel distressed and seek help Individual may also be content with the situation and simply unaware that they are not coping.

E:

L: Therefore, the limitation of approach is that the judgement depends on who is making the decision i.e it is subjective

Question 13

Jahoda (1958) - Deviation to ideal mental health

Answer 13

Pointed out that we define physical illness in part by looking at the absense of signs of physical health. (Including having normal body temperature, skin colour and blood pressure.)

Absense of this = indicates illness

Said we should do this for mental health.

Conducted a eview of what others had written about good mental health, these characteristics enable people to feel happy

Question 14

Categories that Jahoda identified:

Answer 14

• Self-attitudes: having high self esteem and strong sense of identity.
• Personal growth and self-actualisation: the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities.
• Intergration, such as being able to cope with stressful situations
• Autonomoy: being independant and self-regulating
• Having an accurate perception of reality.
• Mastery of the enviroment: including the ability to love, function at work and adjust to new situations.

Question 15

One strength of Jahoda’s definition

4 Points
AO3

Answer 15

• takes a positive and holistic view.
• the definition focuses on positive and desirable behaviours, rather than considering just negative and undesirable behaviour.
• the definition considers the whole person, taking into account a multitude of factors that can affect their health and well-being.

L: strength of the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality is that it is comprehensive, covering a broad range of criteria.

Question 16

One weakness of the deviation from ideal mental health.

the unrealistic criteria proposed by Jahoda.

3 Points

Answer 16

There are times when everyone will experience stress and negativity, e.g, when grieving following the death of a loved one.

• This definition would classify these people as abnormal, irrespective of the circumstances which are outside their control.
• With the high standards set by these criteria, it must also be questioned on how many need to be absent for diagnosis to occur.