Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
What is deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality?
Those who go against the unwritten rules of society is seen as abnormal
Describe statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality
Behaviour that is extremely rare, found in very few people is considered abnormal. e.g. 2% of people score outside the norm.
Describe failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality
- Functioning is maintaining basic standards of nutrition and hygiene. Abnormality is judged in not being able to cope with everyday.
- Includes: distress caused to the individual/ those around them, person may be irrational, and behaviour prevents them from attaining social or occupational goals.
Describe deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
- Jahoda argued physical-ill health is judged by an absence of signs (not having correct body temperature). So, the same should apply to mental-ill health
- She identified 6 characteristics of ideal mental health: positive attitude of oneself, self actualisation (where people reach their full potential), autonomy, resisting stress (coping strategies), accurate perception of reality, environmental mastery (being competent in all aspects of life and ability to adapt)
Give evaluation for the deviation from social norms explanation (desirable and undesirable behaviour)
- Distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviour, unlike the statistical infrequency model.
- Takes into account the effect that behaviour has on others. Deviance is defined in terms of transgression as most social norms are established to help people live together, so according to this abnormal behaviour damages others.
- Therefore, it offers a practical and useful way of identifying undesirable and damaging behaviour, which may alert others to get help for the person concerned
Give evaluation for the deviation from social norms explanation (context specific)
- Human behaviour is context specific. e.g. an outfit would be normal on a beach but not in an office which would be seen as abnormal. Considers the fact that behaviour could be normal in one situation but abnormal in another.
Give evaluation for the deviation from social norms explanation (culturally bound)
- Defining abnormality through social norms is bound by culture.
- Classification systems (DSM) are based on social norms of the dominant culture in the West and the same criteria is applied to different subcultures.
- But the DSM does acknowledge cultural relativism, making references to cultural contexts in areas of diagnosis.
Give evaluation for the deviation from social norms explanation (era dependent)
- It is era dependent. Szaz claimed the concept of mental illness was a way to exclude nonconformists from society. e.g. homosexuality
- Therefore, there’s a danger of creating definitions based on prevailing social morals
Give evaluation for the statistical infrequency explanation (objective)
- There’s an objective quantitative cut off. e.g ‘difficultly sleeping’ is a symptom of depression, some may think abnormal sleep is 6 hours, while others may think the cut-off is 5.
- Therefore, this definition leaves no room for subjectivity in deciding who is abnormal.
Give evaluation for the statistical infrequency explanation (abnormal behaviour may desirable)
- Some abnormal behaviour may be desirable. e.g. few people have an IQ over 100, but this is desirable.
- Similarly experiencing depression is common but this is undesirable.
- Therefore, it cannot distinguish between undesirable and desirable behaviour.
Give evaluation for the statistical infrequency explanation (culturally bias)
- It’s culturally bias as rare behaviours may be more frequent in some cultures more than others.
- e.g. hearing voices is a symptom of schizophrenia but others might see this as normal. Means there is no universal standard for labelling a behaviour as abnormal
What are strengths of the failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
- Subjective experience is recognised. Allows mental disorders to be viewed from the one experiencing it.
- It provides a checklist to assess if someone is not functioning adequately. Therefore providing sensitivity and practicality.
Give evaluation for the failure to function adequately explanation (individual differences)
Doesn’t consider individual differences e.g. someone may experience distress from not eating properly, while the individual may be unaware that they aren’t coping. It is others who are uncomfortable and see it as abnormal. Therefore, abnormal behaviour is subjective.
Give evaluation for the failure to function adequately explanation (culturally bias)
- Could be culturally bias. The ‘failure to function’ criterion could result in different diagnoses when applied to different cultures as the standard of one culture it used to measure another.
- Therefore the use of the model is limited by cultural relativism
Give evaluation for the ideal mental health explanation (positive)
A positive approach. Focuses on the ‘ideal’ and what is desirable rather than the undesirable. Although, Jahoda’s ideas weren’t taken up by professionals, they influenced and are in the accord with the ‘positive psychology’ movement. Therefore, provides goals people can meet to achieve ideal mental health.
Give evaluation for the ideal mental health explanation (unrealistic)
- There’s an unrealistic criteria. Most of us would be considered abnormal as few people would meet the over-demanding expectations.
- Furthermore, some of the criteria is vague and difficult to assess e.g. how can you assess personal growth. Therefore, it is unusable when identifying abnormality
Give evaluation for the ideal mental health explanation (equates to physical health)
- It equates mental health to physical health.
- But physical illnesses have a physical cause (e.g. virus) making them easy to detect and diagnose. Most mental illnesses don’t have physical causes but are a result of experiences. So we can’t diagnose mental abnormality in the same way we diagnose physical abnormality
