Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

Abnormal behaviour is behaviour that is infrequent or statistically rare- if too far from average on standard deviation

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

When people display behaviour that deviates from society’s unwritten rules

Question 3

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 3

When you are unable to cope with everyday activities, this can be defined as abnormality
Rosenhan and Seligmann (1989) suggest personal dysfunction has 7 features, including: suffering, maladaptive behaviour, unpredictability, observer discomfort

Question 4

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 4

Abnormality defined as when someone deviates from ideal positive mental health

Question 5

Statistical infrequency evaluation

Answer 5

Works for some situations such as IQ- scientific
Doesn’t work for all situations
Some abnormalities are desirable
Cultural relativism- infrequent behaviours may be common in some cultures

Question 6

Deviation from social norms evaluation

Answer 6

Deviance dependent on context and degree
Cultural relativism

Question 7

Failure to function adequately evaluation

Answer 7

Objective and practical
Recognises subjective experience
Some behaviours that seem maladaptive may be functional
Cultural relativism

Question 8

Deviation from ideal mental health evaluation

Answer 8

Positive approach, aspire to achieve full potential
Unrealistic criteria
Hard to measure criteria
Cultural relativism