Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
Definitions of abnormality
These decide if a persons behaviour and/or psychological state is abnormal to justify diagnosing and treating them for a psychological disorder
- Statistical infrequency/deviation
Behaviour that is statistically uncommon is seen as abnormal. Behaviours that are rare within society
Intellectual disability disorder IDD
Diagnosed when an individual has an IQ score of about 70 or below (lowest 2% of population)
Difficulty controlling behaviour, adapting to new situations and interacting with others
Strengths of statistical infrequency
Real life application
P: it has a real life application on the diagnosis of IDD
E: individuals with IDD can be accurately diagnosed. Once diagnosed then strategies can be put in place to support the individual and their family
C: condition can be properly understood and can be supported
Limitations of statistical infrequency
Not all abnormal behaviour is infrequent
P: not all abnormal behaviour are infrequent eg depression which causes an issue with defining abnormality
E: around 1/4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in a year. 280 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with depression
C: inaccurately measures abnormality ignoring that some abnormal behaviours are very common within society
- Deviation from social norms
When behaviour differs from common standards expected in society. Society collectively determines what is normal and/or abnormal
Anti social personality disorder APD
Linked to criminal behaviour
Impulsive behaviour, disregard for others, disregard for others, aggressive/violent, lack of guilt
Limitations of using social norms
Different cultures
P: social norms tend to differ based on culture
E: people with schizophrenia may hear voices, in Ghana this may be positive due to religion but in UK it indicates schizophrenia
C: this is a limitation because it can lead to problems when you have more than 1 culture living in 1 country as often certain cultures may be over diagnosed with certain mental health disorders
Limitations of using social norms
Human rights abuse
P: using social norms has led to historical examples of human rights abuse
E: in the past many examples of deviation from social norms were used to maintain control of minority groups eg drapetomania- black slaves running away
C: impacts quality of life for these individuals and often victims are unfairly treated due to the use of this definition of abnormality
- Failure to function adequately
Behaviour becomes abnormal when the individual is no longer able to cope with everyday life as a result of their behaviour
- severe personal distress
- irrational behaviour
- beh stopping individuals from maintaining life goals
- beh causing discomfort to others
Globalised assessment of functioning
GAF scale
Clinical assessment to test functioning
1-10 persistent danger of severely hurting self
91-100 no symptoms
Strength of failure to function adequately
Experience of individual
P: one strength is that it does attempt to take into account the experience of the individual
E: by using GAF scale it takes into account the individuals experience eg own personal distress
C: used as a successful judgement for assessing abnormality
Limitation of failure to function adequately
Not all abnormal individuals fail to function adequately
P: abnormality is not always linked to dysfunction, some appear to function adequately eg Harold Shipman
E: he was well educated - Leeds uni. He worked as a GP and had 4 kids.
C: can be inaccurate in diagnosing abnormality, meaning that some abnormal individuals are not identified using this definition
- Deviation from ideal mental health
Abnormality occurs when a person doesn’t meet the criteria for ideal mental health
Characteristics of ideal mental health
- no symptoms of distress
- ability to self actualise
- able to cope with stress
- realistic view of the world
- independence from others
- adapts to environment
