definitions of abnormality

Question 1

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

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

Question 2

define deviation from social norms

Answer 2

behaviour that is different from accepted social standards is considered abnormal

Question 3

what are 2 strengths of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

• allows intervention - behaviour is easily identified
• real life application in diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder

Question 4

what are 2 weaknesses of deviation from social norms

Answer 4

• social norms change over time (eg. homosexuality)
• cultural relativism (eg. hearing voices in normal is some cultures but is viewed as a mental health issue in another)

Question 5

define failure to function adequately

Answer 5

a person is viewed as abnormal when they can no longer cope in everyday life (e.g unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition, can’t hold down a job or relationship)

Question 6

state the 7 characteristics of Rosenhan & Seligman’s ‘failure to function adequately’ checklist?

Answer 6

• personal distress
• maladaptive behaviour
• unpredictability
• irrationality
• observer discomfort
• violation of moral standards
• unconventionality

Question 7

what are 2 strengths of failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

• provides an objective checklist (less subjective)
• focuses on observable behaviours

Question 8

what are 2 limitations of failure to function adequately?

Answer 8

• different perspectives on what counts as failing to function (eg. not all people with depression fail to function)
• cultural differences

Question 9

define statistical infrequency

Answer 9

behaviour is considered abnormal if more than 2 SD away from the mean on a normal distribution curve

Question 10

what is a strength of statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

• based on scientific, objective data

Question 11

what are 3 weaknesses of statistical infrequency

Answer 11

• some rare behaviour is desirable (eg. high IQ would be seen as abnormal but is desirable)
• cultural differences (eg. lower IQs are normal in African countries but would be abnormal in Western cultures)
• mental health issues are common, so would not be labelled as abnormal

Question 12

define deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 12

set of criteria of what is psychologically healthy - those who do not match these ideals are abnormal.

Question 13

state the 6 characteristics of Jahoda’s ‘ideal mental health’ checklist?

Answer 13

• positive attitude towards one self
• self actualisation
• resisting stress
• autonomy
• accurate perception of reality
• environmental mastery

Question 14

what are 2 strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 14

• focuses on desirable behaviours
• uses checklist - less subjective

Question 15

what are 2 weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 15

• most people don’t meet all characteristics so majority of people are abnormal?
• some aspects are vague - how can self-esteem be measured?