Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

Describe deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality

Answer 1

Those who go against the unwritten roles of society is seen as abnormal

Question 2

What are strengths of the deviation from social norms explanation?

Answer 2

• 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 and 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
• 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.

Question 3

What are limitations of the deviation from social explanation?

Answer 3

• 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. DSM acknowledges cultural relativism, making references to cultural contexts in areas of diagnosis.
• It is era dependent. Thomas Szaz (1974) claimed the concept of mental illness was a way to exclude nonconformists from society. Therefore, there’s a danger of creating definitions based on prevailing social morals

Question 4

Describe statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 4

Behaviour that is extremely rare, found in very few people is considered abnormal. e.g. 2% of people score outside the norm.

Question 5

What are strengths of the statistical infrequency explanation?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What are limitations of the statistical infrequency explanation?

Answer 6

• 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.
• Culturally bias. Rare behaviours may be frequent in 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

Question 7

Describe failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 7

Functioning is maintaining basic standards of nutrition and hygiene. Abnormality is judged in not being able to cope with everyday. Includes: distress cause to the individual/ those around them, person may irrational and unpredictable and behaviour prevents them from attaining social or occupational goals.

Question 8

What are strengths of the failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 8

• 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.

Question 9

What are limitations of the failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 9

• 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.
• 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

Question 10

Describe deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 10

• 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 (good self-concept), self actualisation (where people reach their full potential), autonomy (being independent), resisting stress (coping strategies), accurate perception of reality (seeing the world in a non-distorted fashion), environmental mastery (being competent in all aspects of life and flexibility to adapt)

Question 11

What are the strengths of the ideal mental health explanation?

Answer 11

A positive approach. Focuses on the ‘ideal’, 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.

Question 12

What are limitations of the ideal mental health explanation?

Answer 12

• 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 u assess personal growth. Therefore, it is unusable when identifying abnormality
• It equates mental and physical health. Physical illness 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. We can’t diagnose mental abnormality in the same way we diagnose physical abnormality