Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

4 definitions of abnormality:

Answer 1

1) Statistical infrequency
2) Deviation from social norms
3) Failure to function adequately
4) Deviation from mental health

Question 2

Statistical Infrequency

Answer 2

Abnormality is defined as behaviour that deviates from the norm/ average
* the less the frequency a behaviour occurs in people, the more likely it is to be abnormal
* psychologists use normal distribution (curves) to make a judgement of whether a behaviour is statistically frequent or infrequent

Question 3

Evaluation: Statistically infrequency

Answer 3

+ Gives a clear guideline for identifying behaviours as normal/abnormal
+ More objective measure than relying on psychologists interpretation
- Risk of attaching abnormal label to anyone who falls into the statistically rare category such as highly intelligent people who are statistically rare
- Behaviours statistically rare many years ago may not be statistically rare today - statistical norms can be outdated
- Cultural differences in what is considered to be normal and abnormal

Question 4

Deviation from social norms

Answer 4

• when a person behaves differently from how we expect them to behave
• society makes collective judgements about acceptable behaviour in particular circumstances
• e.g. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) deviates from moral and ethical standards of behaviour

Question 5

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Answer 5

ASPD
* Symptoms: behave irresponsibly, exploit and manipulate others, break the law…

Question 6

Evaluation: Deviation from social norms

Answer 6

+ Used in clinical practice e.g. ASPD is defined as the failure to conform to culturally normal moral behaviour such as showing agression + violating the rights of others (all deviations from social norms)
- Doesnt effectively consider cultural differences e.g. in some cultures hearing voices is the norm
- Not all behaviours that break social norms are a sign of abnormality.Many people who don’t conform to social norms are expressing individualism or wanting to bring about a social change such as the behaviour of the suffragettes

Question 7

Failure to function adequately

Answer 7

• Not being able to cope with the demands of everyday life
• Roshen & Sellyman (1989) identify the following features as failing to function adequately:
  1. person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules such as respecting personal space causing discomfort + distress to people
  2. experiencing severe personal stress
  3. behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
• e.g Intellectual disability disorder

Question 8

Intellectual Disability Disorder

Answer 8

Intellectual Disability- a term used to describe a person with certain limitations in cognitive functioning and other skills, including communication and self care
* Symptoms- doesnt conform to social norms, severe stress, cannot cope with everyday life e.g. certain jobs

Question 9

Evaluation: Failure to function adequately

Answer 9

+ sensible threshold for when a person needs professional help. According to MIND, around 25% of people in the UK experience a form of a mental health problem in a given year. However, many people continue their daily lives without seeking support. People are usually noticed or seek for professional help when they fail to functional adequately.This definition is a useful starting point for when people should be targeted for treatment + professional help
- People with unusual choices are at risk of being labelled
-It can be very difficult to tell if someone is really failing to function adequately e.g. individulas following non-standard lifestyle choices
- Abnormality is not always associated with failure to function adequately. People with depression, anxiety and many other mental health conditions appear to lead perfectly normal lives

Question 10

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 10

Jahoda (1958) identifies the following as ideal mental health:
* no symptoms of distress
* we are rational
* we self-actualise- content with yourself
* can cope with stress- resisting the effects of stress by having effective coping strategies
* have a realistic view of the world
* have good self esteem + lack guilt
* independent
* can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure

Question 11

Evaluation: Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 11

+ provides a checklist against which we can access ourselves and use for self-improvement. it takes positive approaches to definfing normality rather than looking for things that are wromg about an individual
- Jahoda’s ideas about mental health are rooted in a western view of the value of personal growth and development
- some of these concepts dont apply to all cultures equally e.g. independence is not valued eually the same in all cultures e.g. China
- its very difficult for most people to meet all the criteria outlined for ideal mental health. under this definition the majority of us would be consider abnormal - criteria seen as unrealistic

Question 12

Key terms for evaluation:

Answer 12

1. Appropriateness
2. Effectiveness

Question 13

Appropriateness

Answer 13

• considers severity of side effects of treatment
• considers cost + time needed to complete treatment
• considers how motivated sufferer has to be for successful treatment

Question 14

Effectiveness

Answer 14

• extent to which treatment reduces the symptoms of disorder
• considers time period that theres a reduction in symptoms
• takes into account relapse rate for disorder following treatment