Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
Statistical infrequency
Behaviour is normal if it occurs frequently and any behaviour that occurs relatively rarely is thought of as abnormal. Behaviour is scored and rare people are compared to the average as most scores cluster around the average.
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
positive: real world application as statistical infrequency is useful in diagnosis Intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ in the bottom 2%. The BDI assesses depression, only 5% score a 30+ (meaning severe depression).
Unusual characteristics can also be positive
Just because behaviour is statistically infrequent, doesn’t mean it’s not desirable or abnormal. For example, an iq of 130+ is infrequent and usual but is not regarded as undesirable or in need of treatment.This means statistical infrequency can be part of defining abnormality, it can never be its sole basis.
Deviation from social norms
Behaviours and emotions that deviate from the norm in society (deemed unacceptable). some unacceptable behaviours are implicit (holding the door open) whereas others are policed by laws.
Evaluation of deviation from social norms
Real world application: Deviation from social norms is useful in diagnosis. Antisocial personality disorder - diagnosis requires failure to conform to ethical standards. Schizotypal personality disorder - this involves strange beliefs and behaviour. This means that deviation from social norms is useful in psychiatric diagnosis.
Social norms are situationally and culturally relative: What is considered abnormal in one situation or culture may be considered normal in another culture Hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be seen as abnormal in the UK - cultural norms of the patient and the clinician needs to be considered. E,g wearing pjs to school scenario. Difficult to judge deviation from social norms of one context or another. They differ due to cultural relativism (e.g alcohol consumption in public places). This is the view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context it originates from. E.g homosexuality.
Failure to function adequately
if it distresses only others but not the individual, then the judgement of abnormality is inappropriate. e.g individual may be content wearing unwashed clothes and not having a job, they just don’t cope in a normal way.
Failure to function adequately - Rosenhan and Seligman: When someone is not coping they…
no longer conform to interpersonal rules e.g maintaining personal space.
Experience severe personal stress
They behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous
Evaluation of failure to function adequately:
Provides a threshold for professional help:
in a given year, 25% of us experience symptoms of a mental disorder to some degree. Most of the time we continue with day to day life but when we stop being able to function adequately, people seek or are referred for professional help. So failure to function adequately criteria provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need it.
It can lead to discrimination/social control:
It is hard to distinguish between “deviance” (a conscious decision) and “failure to function adequately” E.g people may choose to live off grid as part of an alternative lifestyle choice or take part in high risk activities. This means people can be labelled as abnormal and their freedom of choice can be restricted.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda (1958): we define physical illness in part by looking at the absence of signs of physical wellnesse.g temperature, normal skin colour, normal blood pressure. So the absence of these indicates illness, we should do the same for mental illness.
Criteria for ideal mental health
- We have no symptoms or distress
- We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately
- We self-actualise
- We can cope with stress
- We have a realistic view of the world
- We have good self-esteem and lack guilt
- We are independent of other people
- We can successfully work, love and enjoy leisure
Deviation from ideal mental health evaluation:
The ideal mental health approach is comprehensive: ideal mental health includes a range of criteria for mental health and it covers most of the reasons we might need mental support. This means mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals, therefore ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others.
It may be culture bound: Some criteria for ideal mental health are limited to western countries.Even in the west there are differences placed on va,use of independence (high in Germany, low in Italy). This means it is hard to apply the concept of mental health from one culture to another.
