Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
what are the 4 definitions of abnormality
statistical infrequency
deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health
statistical infrequency
Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic, that can be seen as abnormal. A characteristic occupies the extreme ends of a normal distribution curve. We use a statistical approach when characteristics can be reliably measured.
For example, the average IQ is 100. In normal distribution, most people have a score in the range from 85-115. Only 2% have a score below 70. Those individuals scoring below 70 are abnormal, and liable to receive a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder.
evaluation of statistical infrequency (brief)
strength - real life application
weakness - unusual characteristics can be positive
evaluation of statistical infrequency
Strength – real life application in clinical practice, as part of a formal diagnosis and in assessing symptoms. For example, a diagnosis of IDD requires an IQ in the bottom 2%. Statistical infrequency is also useful as an assessment tool for depression as only 5% of people score 30+, indicating severe depression. Therefore, this shows the value of statistical infrequency in assessing and diagnosing mental disorders.
Weakness – Unusual characteristics can be positive as well as negative. For example, we would not think of someone with a very low depression score on the BDI as abnormal. This shows that being unusual or at one end of a psychological spectrum does not necessarily make someone abnormal. Therefore suggesting that statistical infrequency isn’t sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality.
deviation from social norms
Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards in a community or society. We make a collective judgement as a society about what is right. However, these social norms can be different between cultures and generations.
evaluation of deviation from social norms (brief)
strength - real world application
weakness - cultural and situational relativism
evaluation of deviation from social norms
Strength – DFSN has real world application as it is used in clinical practice. For example, the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour. Such norms also play a part in the diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder, where the term ‘strange’ is used to characterise the thinking and behaviour of people with the disorder. Therefore, this shows the DFSN criteria has value in psychiatry.
Weakness – DFSN has cultural and situational relativism. A person from one cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their standards rather than the person’s standards. For example, hearing voices is the norm is some cultures, but is a sign of abnormality in the UK. Social norms differ between situations in the same culture. For example, it is the norm to wear a bikini at the beach but not in a corporate office. This means it is difficult to judge DFSN across different situations and cultures.
failure to function adequately
Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living.
Rosenhan and Seligman proposed signs to determine when someone isn’t coping:
- When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal values. E.g. maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space
- Experiences severe personal distress to themselves and others
- Behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
- Not being able to hold down a job
evaluation of failure to function adequately (brief)
strength - threshold for when need professional help
weakness - can lead to discrimination
evaluation of failure to function adequately
Strength – represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help. According to MIND, around 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year. It tends to be at the point we cease to function adequately that people seek professional help or are noticed and are referred for help by others. This criteria means that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most.
Weakness – can lead to discrimination. It is easy to label non-standard living as abnormal. It is hard to say someone is failing to function and when they’re simply choosing to deviate from social norms, e.g. not having a job. However, people with alternative lifestyles who choose to live ‘off-grid’ or people who favour unusual spiritual practices could be unreasonably classed as irrational. This means people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted.
deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda suggested we are in good mental health if,
- We have no symptoms or distress
- 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 our leisure
The absence of this criteria indicates abnormality and potential mental disorder.
evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health (brief)
strength - highly comprehensive
weakness - culture bound
evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health
Strength – the ideal mental health criteria is highly comprehensive. Jahoda’s concept of ideal mental health includes a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from mental disorder. It covers most of the reasons we may seek help with mental health. Therefore, this means that ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals.
Weakness – ideal mental health criteria may be culture bound. Some of Jahoda’s criteria are firmly located in the context of US and Europe. Even within Europe, there is variation in the value placed on personal independence. Furthermore, what defines success in our working, social and love lives is very different between cultures. This means it is difficult to apply the content of ideal mental health from one culture to another.
