definitions of abnormality

Question 1

how many definitions of abnormality are there?

Answer 1

4

Question 2

what are the 4 definitions?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what is statistical infrequency?

Answer 3

a person’s behaviour is considered abnormal if it is rare or statistically abnormal
- implies that a disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than two
standard deviations away from the mean
- depends on the normal distribution

Question 4

what is an example of statistical infrequency?

Answer 4

having an IQ above or below average

Question 5

S statistical infrequency: real-world applications

Answer 5

ID: real-world applications
Q: statistical infrequency is a good measure for many psychological disorders
EX: for example, it is almost always used in the clinical diagnoses of mental health disorders as a comparison with a baseline or ‘normal’ value. this is used to assess the severity of the disorder e.g. the idea that Schizophrenia only affects 1% of the general population, but
subtypes are even less frequent
AN: therefore, this definition can provide an objective way, based on data, to define abnormality. meaning it can be used practically, increasing external validity

Question 6

W statistical infrequency: fails to distinguish between desirable + undesirable behaviour

Answer 6

ID: fails to distinguish between desirable + undesirable behaviour
Q: statistical infrequency assumes that any abnormal characteristics are automatically negative
EX: for example, having a high IQ is statistically uncommon, and therefore considered abnormal, despite its desirability. similarly, displaying abnormal levels of empathy (and thus qualifying as a Highly Sensitive Person) would rarely be looked down upon as negative characteristics which require treatment.
AN: therefore, this can lead to issues of misdiagnosis, as what is statistically in-frequent isn’t always undesirable

Question 7

what is deviation from social norms?

Answer 7

‘abnormal’ behaviour is based upon straying away from the social norms specific to a certain culture
- anything that deviates from acceptable behaviour is considered abnormal, society can intervene to make their behaviour desirable
- social norms vary across culture, time and context

Question 8

what is an example of deviation from social norms across culture?

Answer 8

• tolerance to homo-sexuality varies across culture
• public displays of affection

Question 9

S deviation from social norms: respects cultural differences

Answer 9

ID: respects cultural differences
Q: this means that it doesn’t take an etic approach, but an emic approach, to explaining behaviour. this is due to its high cultural specificity
EX: for example, it recognises that tolerance to homosexuality and public displays of affection are culturally dependent. this is important as it acknowledges cross-cultural differences in order to reduce cultural bias
AN: this is positive as cultural bias in psychometric testing may contribute to misdiagnosis and other errors. as a result may have serious implications for the individual involved in assessment

Question 10

W deviation from social norms: norms can vary over time

Answer 10

ID: however, norms can vary over time
Q: this means that behaviour that would’ve been considered ‘abnormal’ at one time, may not have been considered ‘abnormal’ at another time
E: for example, drunk driving was once considered acceptable, but is now considered socially unacceptable. whereas, homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder by the World Health Organisation until the 1980s, but today is considered acceptable.
AN: therefore, it is hard to judge behaviour, meaning there is a lack of consensus between generations

Question 11

what is failure to function adequately?

Answer 11

failing to cope with the demands of everyday life
- Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) is used to assess individuals on how well they can cope with everyday life

Question 12

what are examples of FFA?

Answer 12

• inability to go to work, continue basic hygiene, pursue relationships
• no longer conforming to standard inter personal values (eye contact)
• personal distress (anxiety, depression)

Question 13

who proposed FFA as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 13

Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 14

how did Rosenhan and Seligman define FFA?

Answer 14

unpredictable, maladaptive, irrational behaviour

Question 15

S failure to function adequately: measurable

Answer 15

ID: practical and measurable way of quantifying abnormality
Q: the Global Assessment of Functioning scale allows for the extent of failure to function to be measured
EX: for example, this means that the decision of whether a behaviour is abnormal or not can be made in a relatively objective way. a practical checklist means the patient can assess their own abnormality through their observable behaviours
AN: this is a strength as it may lead to more accurate diagnosis of mental health and take into account the patients perspective (idiographic)

Question 16

W failure to function adequately: labelling may be harmful

Answer 16

ID: labelling may be harmful or unnecessary
Q: this means that labelling of patients as ‘strange’ or ‘crazy’ may contribute to the traditional negative stereotypes about mental health disorders
EX: for example, not everyone with a mental health disorder requires a diagnosis, especially if they have a high quality of life, or if their illness has little impact upon themselves or others
AN: therefore, such labelling could lead to discrimination or prejudice faced against individuals

Question 17

what is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 17

defined by looking for absences of mental health

Question 18

who proposed deviation from ideal mental health as a definition?

Answer 18

Jahoda

Question 19

outline Jahoda’s definition of deviation of IMH

Answer 19

• Jahoda proposed 6 categories and suggested that absence of any of these would suggest mental illness
  1. positive self attitudes
  2. self-actualisation
  3. integration (coping with stressful situations)
  4. autonomy (independence)
  4. accurate perception of reality
  6. mastery of environment (ability to love, function etc)

Question 20

S deviation from IMH: targets a wide range of dysfunction

Answer 20

ID: targets a wide range of dysfunction
Q: this definition allows an individual who is struggling, to have targeted interventions if their behaviour is considered ‘abnormal’
EX: for example, their distorted thinking could be addressed to help their mental health and behaviour become ‘normal’
AN: therefore, as the criteria is focused, it allows individuals to treat abnormality against a structure. increasing practical applications

Question 21

W deviation from IMH: subjective + ELAB: unrealistic criteria

Answer 21

ID: may be considered subjective
Q: the criteria used by Jahoda is too vague and therefore is difficult to measure
EX: for example, it relies on the ppt giving an accurate self-depiction of their mental health against the 6 criteria
AN: therefore, deviation from
ideal mental health may be considered a very limited method of diagnosing mental health disorders.
ELAB: furthermore, the criteria can be considered unfeasible and unrealistic as it makes ideal mental health practically impossible to achieve.
EX: for example, this means that the majority of the population would be
considered abnormal, even if they have missed a single criteria e.g. being able to rationally cope with stress (which most people would agree does not merit a diagnosis)