Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• statistical infrequency
• deviation from social norms
• failure to function adequately
• deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

what is statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

• abnormality is defined as behaviour or characteristics that are statistically rare/ uncommon
• this occupies the extreme ends of a normal distribution curve
• this relies on the use of up to date statistics

Question 3

what is an example of statistical infrequency?

Answer 3

• average IQ is set at 100
• the normal distribution of IQ (85% of people have an IQ of 85-115)
• only 2% of people score below 70 and are therefore ‘abnormal’ - this is known as intellectual disability disorder

Question 4

what is deviation from social norms?

Answer 4

• all societies make collective judgements about what counts as ‘normal’ behaviour
• any behaviour that deviates from these expected standards is abnormal

Question 5

what is an example of deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

• homosexuality was classified as abnormal in the past and is still illegal in some countries
• antisocial personality disorder (psychopaths): being impulsive and aggressive = seen as abnormal in a wide range of cultures

Question 6

what is failure to function adequately?

Answer 6

• abnormality can be judged in terms of not being able to cope with everyday living
• Rosennan and Seligman proposed additional signs that someone is not coping:
  
  • don’t follow interpersonal rules (respecting personal space)
  • behaviour causes personal distress and distress to others
  • behaviour is maladaptive, irrational or dangerous

Question 7

what is an example of failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

can’t maintain a job or can’t maintain a relationship

Question 8

what is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 8

• rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal.
• Jahoda’s has a criteria for ideal mental health
• the more criteria someone fails to meet the more abnormal they are

Question 9

what is Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health?

Answer 9

• accurate perception of reality
• independent
• mastery of environment = can successfully work/love
• aim for self-actualisation
• can cope with stress
• high self esteem

Question 10

what is a strength of statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

• usefulness
• used in clinical practices as a form of formal diagnosis and a way of assessing the severity of an individuals symptoms
• for example the diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder requires a IQ score of below 70
• another example is statistical infrequency as an assessment tool is in Becks depression inventory , a score of 30+ is widely interpreted as indicating severe depression
  = this shows that value of SI in diagnostic and assessment processes

Question 11

what is a weakness of statistical infrequency?

Answer 11

• infrequent characteristics can be seen as positive as well as negative
• for every person who scores 70 on IQ test there is another person who scores 130, but the person with the high IQ is not viewed as abnormal
• similar a low BDI score is not seen as abnormal
• shows that being at one end of normal distribution is not always characterised as abnormal
  = not effective as a sole basis of defining abnormality

Question 12

what is a strength of deviation from social norms?

Answer 12

• usefulness
• used in clinical practices
• defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour
• such norms play a part in the formal diagnosis of schizoptypal personality disorder where the word strange is sued to characterise the thinking, behaviour and appearance of people with the disorder
  = has value in psychiatry