Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY: define statistical infrequency
- This definition states abnormality is when an individual has a less
common characteristic than most of the population, so therefore the
behaviour is seen less frequently in society. - Behaviour that is rarely seen is abnormal. People who score outside of the normal distribution (top and bottom 2%) can be defined as abnormal.
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY: define deviation from social norms
This definition defines any behaviour which differs from that which
society expects as abnormal.
- Society has certain established “norms” of behaviour which are
expectations about how “normal” people behave.
- These are passed on through socialisation. When a person behaves in a
way that is different from how they are expected to behave, they may be defined as abnormal.
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY: define failure to function adequately
- Abnormality judged as inability to deal with the demands of everyday living.
- Failure to maintain basic nutrition, hygiene, relationships, employment. Rosenhan & Seligman (1989): proposed the following signs:
- Not conforming to interpersonal rules (eye contact, personal space)
- Experience of severe personal distress
- Behaviour is irrational or dangerous to themselves/others.
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY: define deviation from ideal mental health
- This definition defines abnormality as the absence of signs of good mental health.
- Jahoda developed a criteria for these ideals:
> Accurate perception of reality
> Positive attitude to him/herself (good self-esteem and of lack guilt Self-actualisation – reach potential.
> Resistance to stress
> Environmental mastery
> Be independent of other people (autonomy)
Pro for Statistical infrequency
P: One strength of deviation from social norms is it can be useful for clinical practice.
E: For example, IQ is measured in terms of normal distribution for those
who are two or more standard deviation below the mean.
E: This means this definition has real life application as it used as a real measure for certain behaviours.
L: This increases the validity of the definition in using it as a measure to define abnormality.
Con for Statistical Infrequency:
P: A limitation of using statistical deviation to diagnose abnormality is that many abnormal behaviours are desirable.
E: For example, very few people have an IQ over 150, yet having such an
IQ is not undesirable. Furthermore, there are some common behaviours that are seen to be undesirable.
E: For example, experiencing depression is relatively common but the disorder is considered abnormal and undesirable.
L: Therefore, we are unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours.
Can also lead to stigmatisation
Pro for deviation from social norms
P: One strength of deviation from social norms is it can be useful for clinical practice.
E: The key defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is the
failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical standards.
E: Deviation from social norms is also helpful in diagnosing schizotypal personality disorder, involving ‘strange’ beliefs and behaviour.
L: This means that deviation from social norms is useful in psychiatric diagnosis.
Con for deviation of social norms:
P: A limitation of this definition is that social norms change across time periods and therefore it is not consistent across time.
E: For example, homosexuality is today socially acceptable in most western cultures but in the past, it was a classification in the DSM and even illegal.
E: Whether somebody is defined as abnormal is then dependent upon the prevailing social morals and attitudes.
L: This can the produce inconsistent results across history meaning the measure lacks temporal validity.
Pro for failure to function adequately:
- P: A strength is that it does take into account the patient’s subjective perspective.
- E: it allows us to view the mental disorder from the point of view of the person experiencing it.
- E: It is also relatively easy to judge objectively because we can list behaviours (e.g. can dress self, prepare meals, etc.) and check whether a person is functioning.
- Therefore, if treatment and support is required it can be specific to the patient’s individual needs.
Con for failure to function adequately:
- P: A limitation of this definition of abnormality is that it requires an objective judgement of a way of life.
- E: Someone may see not having a job as a failure to function adequately, but others of an alternative lifestyle may disagree. Those who enjoy extreme sports may also be seen to be behaving in a maladaptive way.
- If we treat these as “failures” of adequate functioning, we may be limiting personal freedom and discriminating minority groups.
- L: This poses a challenge for this definition because it may depend on who is making the judgement rather than the behaviour itself.
Pro for deviation from ideal mental health
P: A strength of the ideal mental health criterion is that it is highly comprehensive.
- E: Jahoda’s concept includes a wide range of criteria and covers most of the reasons people seek mental health support.
- E: This allows mental health to be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals with different theoretical views, eg psychiatrist or CBT therapist.
- L: This means that ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess and discuss psychological issues
Con for Deviation from ideal mental health:
P: A limitation of this approach is that it sets high standards for mental health which may be unachievable for most people
- E: Few people achieve full self-actualization . It is hard to even be sure what this is for each person. Therefore, this definition says a large number of people have aspects of abnormality.
- E: Furthermore, the criteria are quite difficult to measure. For example, how east is it to assess whether someone has the capacity for personal growth?
