Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What are the two AO3 PEELS to evaluate deviation from social norms (DSN) as a def of abn?

Answer 1

• weakness - cultural relativism
• strength - prac apps

Question 2

P
(cultural relativism)

Answer 2

weakness - social norms are created within a culture so def is limited by cultural relativism

Question 3

E

Answer 3

as diff cultures have diff expectations of bhv e.g. in a western culture, indv receiving msgs sent from spirits could be seen as a symptom of sz as bhv is unexpected in western culture

Question 4

E

Answer 4

whereas in a non - western culture, these msgs could be classed as a spiritual gift

Question 5

L

Answer 5

therefore it may not be appropiate to use DSN to define abn outside of a specific culture

Question 6

P
(prac apps)

Answer 6

However a strength of DSN - rl prac apps in diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder

Question 7

E

Answer 7

mental health doctors can look at what the expected bhv is in society and use those cultural and social norms to diagnose abn bhv

Question 8

E

Answer 8

e.g. indv who repeatedly commits illegal bhv or lacks remorse is deviating from social norms as this bhv is unexpected within society

Question 9

E
(extra E, dont ask why :)

Answer 9

so is therefore diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder

Question 10

L

Answer 10

therefore DSN is a useful definitiion when differentiating bw normal and abn bhv

Question 11

What are two AO3 PEELS to evaluate failure to function adaquately (FFA) as a def of abn?

Answer 11

• strength - acknowledges personal experience of indv
• weakness - easy to label non standard lifestyle choices as abn

Question 12

P
(acknowledges personal experience of indv)

Answer 12

strength - acknowledges personal experience of indv

Question 13

E

Answer 13

although some criteria may be difficult to measure, def takes into account an indv personal/subjective exp

Question 14

E

Answer 14

such as their perception of ability to cope w everyday life and whether or not they are feeling severe personal distress

Question 15

L

Answer 15

therefore FFA captures the experience of many ppl who need help suggesting its a useful def for assessing abn

Question 16

P
(easy to label non - standard lifestyle choices as abn)

Answer 16

However, whilst it is easier to identify who is not coping in everyday life a weakness of FFA is that its easy to label non - standard lifestyle choices as abn

Question 17

E

Answer 17

it can be difficult to identify when someone is really failing to function adaquately or have simply chosem to deviate away from social norms

Question 18

E

Answer 18

e.g. indv who take part in high risk activities could be unreasonably classed as irrational and danger to themselves and therefore abn

Question 19

L

Answer 19

therefore, this is a limitation of FFA as people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abn

Question 20

What are the two AO3 PEELS to evaluate deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH) as a def of abn?

Answer 20

• strength - covers a wide range of criteria for mental health
• weakness - criteria is too strict

Question 21

P
(covers a wide range of bacteria for mental health)

Answer 21

strength - covers a wide range of criteria for mental health

Question 22

E

Answer 22

some would argue the def covers most reasons indv would seek help from mental health services

Question 23

E

Answer 23

contrasting to other defs such as DSN that only focuses on 1 criteria for defining abn

Question 24

L

Answer 24

therefore the wide range of criteria discussed in relation to ideal mental health strengthen the def appropiateness to define abn

Question 25

P
(criteria is too strict)

Answer 25

Despite DIMH covering a wide range of criteria, it could be argued the criteria are too strict

Question 26

E

Answer 26

people may not be able to realistically meet all 6 criteria that define mental healthiness at any one time

Question 27

E

Answer 27

e.g. indv who has lost their job may not be able to cope with the stress and may result in developing negative self attitudes

Question 28

E
(extra e, dont ask why :)

Answer 28

meaning indv would be classed as abn by this def, even though this would be a rational response for many

Question 29

L

Answer 29

therefore, limiting the use of DIMH as a def of abn

Question 30

What are two AO3 PEELS to evaluate statistical infrequency as a def of abn?

Answer 30

• strength - prac apps
• weakness - doesnt differentiate bw desirable and undesirable bhv

Question 31

P
(prac apps)

Answer 31

strength - prac apps

Question 32

E

Answer 32

this is coz SI is used in the real world in clinical practice, both in diagnosis and assessing severity of an indv symptoms

Question 33

E

Answer 33

e.g. SI is used as an assessment tool in becks depression inventory where a score of 30+ iw widely interpreted as an indication of severe dep

Question 34

L

Answer 34

therefore SI as a def of abn i.a.i.p.o.a.p as its useful in clinical assessment

Question 35

P
(doesnt differentiate bw desirable and undesirable bhv)

Answer 35

However, just coz a bhv is rare, doesnt necessarily mean it would need to be treated as an abn

Question 36

E

Answer 36

so 1 weakness of SI is that it doesnt differentiate bw desirable and undesirable bhv when defining abn

Question 37

E

Answer 37

e.g. an indv with a high IQ is desirable and not seen as an abnormality. However by this def it would be seen as abn as it is statistically rare despite indv needing no treatment to return to ‘normal’

Question 38

L

Answer 38

therefore this is a limitation of SI and shouldnt be used solely to diagnose or make a treatment plan