Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are social norms?
Social norms are explicit and implicit rules that exist in society that determine acceptable behaviours, values and beliefs. They are set by the social group and adhered to by those socialised into that group
What are explicit social norms?
laws
what are implicit (unspoken ) social norms?
agreed as a matter of convention e.g. politeness, not invading someone’s personal space, queuing, eating with a knife and fork.
PEC:If we define abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms, then we rely on prevailing (i.e. current) social morals and attitudes.
E: This may permit mental health professionals to classify individuals as mentally ill if they fail to conform to social rules.
C: Szasz (1974) claimed that mental illness was simply a way to exclude non-conformists from society i.e. a form of social control.
What is stigmatism and why is it a bad thing?
Because of the stigma attached to mental health disorders, those labelled as suffering from such conditions may be treated differently by those around them i.e. discriminated against.
The label may reflect badly on the individual - once a diagnosis is made, it tends to stick, even if the symptoms are no longer present
deviation from social norms P: Social norms change over time
E: Homosexuality was once listed as a mental illness in the DSM, however, attitudes have since changed and homosexuality is now accepted.
C: Therefore, behaviour that is deemed abnormal at one time may be considered normal at another, as social attitudes change. Abnormality according to this definition is therefore a fluid concept.
deviation from social norms P: Social norms vary across cultures
E: e.g. hearing voices is considered a blessing in certain African tribes, but is a symptom of schizophrenia in the Western world.
C: Therefore, behaviour viewed as normal in one culture may be considered abnormal elsewhere, again, highlighting how fluid the concept of abnormality is according to this definition.
Limitations of the ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ definition
Eccentric or abnormal? Behaviours that deviate from the norm e.g. men wearing make-up, may be merely ‘eccentric’ rather than abnormal in a pathological sense.
deviation from social norms P: Those who violate legal norms are not necessarily suffering from a psychological disorder.
E: e.g. you are more likely to view a serial killer as abnormal compared to a fraudster.
C: Therefore, perhaps it depends on the crime committed as to whether they are viewed as abnormal in a pathological sense, or not.
deviation from social norms P: Behaviour that is deviant is socially unacceptable for the rest of us.
E: This way of defining abnormality therefore takes account of the greater good of society and distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviour, a feature that is absent from the statistical infrequency definition.
C: According to this definition, abnormal behaviour is behaviour that therefore potentially damages others.
deviation from social norms P: Some behaviours may be considered normal in one context, but abnormal in another
E: e.g. wearing a bikini in an office would be considered abnormal, but wearing one on a beach would be seen as perfectly normal.
C: Therefore, the context in which the behaviour occurs must be considered.
Abnormality is defined as …
Abnormality is defined as an inability to cope with day-to-day living…
e.g. being unable to dress oneself and to hold down a job (occupational functioning)
An individual suffering from DEPRESSION may lack the motivation to get out of bed in the morning and leave the house for work, unable to face any kind of social interaction, and finding little pleasure in everyday activities.It therefore recognises the subjective experience of the patient.
Measure used to assess functioning: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale
What is Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) study?
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) outlined seven characteristics of personal dysfunction. Here are four of these characteristics:
Personal distress – e.g. loss of appetite, insomnia
Observer discomfort – where another’s behaviour causes discomfort and distress to the observer
Unpredictability – inability to predict the behaviour of another
Irrationality – irrational behaviour is displayed that is difficult to understand
What is the GAF scale?
The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale rates an individual’s level of social, occupational and psychological functioning.
failure to function adequately P: Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction.
E: Individuals may be functioning adequately e.g. attending school/work, maintaining good personal hygiene, despite clinical levels of anxiety and depression.
Harold Shipman is a good example of someone who was abnormal, murdering at least 215 of his patients, yet he did not outwardly display any features of dysfunction.
C: Therefore, according to this definition some abnormal individuals would be considered normal.
P: Failure to function adequately does not always indicate abnormal behaviour.
E: Certain factors can affect our ability to function adequately e.g. exam stress, death of a loved one. These can have a temporary impact on an individual’s functioning and does not necessarily indicate abnormality.
C: Therefore, the context in which the behaviour occurs must always be considered.
failure to function adequately P: Arguably, adequate functioning could be viewed as a subjective concept.
E: We all have a different perception of what it means to function ‘adequately’.
For example…. some people may find it normal to eat with their hands whereas others will always use cutlery.
C: This therefore makes it difficult to judge whether someone is functioning adequately or not.
failure to function adequately P: Standard patterns of behaviour in terms of what it means to ‘function adequately’ vary from culture to culture…
E: e.g. cultural variations in what it means to maintain good levels of personal hygiene.
C: Therefore, an individual may be considered normal in one culture but abnormal elsewhere.
failure to function adequatley P: In addition, ‘failure to function’ is also relatively easy to judge objectively,
E: because one can use a checklist of common behaviours they would expect in someone deemed normal e.g. can dress self, can prepare meals, C: …which is straightforward to use because it focuses on observable behaviour.
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Jahoda (1958) argued that we define physical illness by looking at the absence of signs of physical health and claimed that we should apply the same principles when diagnosing mental illness. She listed six criteria that she felt indicated psychological health
The absence of these 6 criteria - jahoda- indicates abnormality and potential mental disorder:
Personal autonomy: Self-reliant, independent, depending on one’s own resources.
Positive attitudes towards the self: Positive self-concept and sense of identity; self-confidence; self-respect; self-acceptance; high self-esteem.
Accurate perception of reality: Seeing oneself and the world in realistic and objective terms, rather than through ‘rose-tinted’ glasses.
Self-actualisation of one’s potential: Striving to fulfil one’s potential; personal growth.
Adapting to and mastering the environment: Being competent in all areas of life: at work, in personal relationships and in leisure activities. Being flexible and adapting to change.
Resistance to stress: The ability to tolerate anxiety; developing good coping strategies for dealing with stressful situations.
Limitations of the ‘Deviation from Ideal Mental Health’ definition. P: Most people would find it difficult to achieve all six criteria, all of the time – they are too demanding/unrealistic.
E: For example, many people can find it difficult to achieve self-actualisation and experience personal growth all the time e.g. some individuals may be content working in Tesco’s, even if they have the potential to be a brain surgeon!
C: This therefore implies that few people are psychologically healthy and therefore most of us are abnormal! It is also unclear how many of the criteria you have to be lacking in order to be classed as mentally ill.
Limitations of the ‘Deviation from Ideal Mental Health’ definition.P: Jahoda’s ideas are based on Western ideals of self-fulfilment and individuality.
E: For example, autonomy and self-actualisation are not valued in collectivist cultures. Why? What do collectivist cultures value and promote instead?
C: Therefore, these ideas are culture-bound as they only apply to individualist cultures.
Limitations of the ‘Deviation from Ideal Mental Health’ definition. P: Several of the criteria are vague and difficult to measure, relying heavily on the self-reports of patients, which could be unreliable (highly subjective)…
E: …whereas physical health can be measured more objectively e.g. X-rays, blood tests.
C: This therefore undermines Jahoda’s ideas about measuring mental health in the same way as physical health.