definitions of abnormality Flashcards
what are the definitions of abnormality
statistical infrequency
deviation from social norms
failure to function adequately
deviation from ideal mental health
what is the assumption of statistical infrequency
assumption : behaviour is normal based on the number of times we see it, usual behaviour is normal, uncommon is abnormal as it is rare; e,g, only a small number of people will have a fear of buttons
describe : relates to things that can be reliably measured, e.g. intellegence. most people’s IQ cluster around the average, the further away from the average, the fewer people will attain that score - the normal distribution
example of diagnosable ab : average IQ is 100, 68% have IQ 85-115, 2% have less than 70 , that would be an example of abnormality, could be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder IDD
what is deviation from social norms
assumption : people make a collective decision as to a set of group norms to be considered normal. when people behave in a different way to how we expect them to, behaviour is abnormal bc it offends our sense of what is acceptable
describe : social norms may differ from culture to culture, very few behaviours are considered to be universally abnormal on the basis of breaching social norms; e.g. homosexuality was considered abnormal in out society and some cultures it still is
example of diagnosable ab : an important symptom of antisocial personality disorder is an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour, we make the social judgement that psychopaths are abnormal bc they dont conform to our moral standards
what is failure to function adequately
assumption : abnormailty is the inability to cope with the demands of everyday life, which is describe as a failure to function adequately, unable to maintain relationships with people around them
describe : Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) proposed criteria to determine when someone is not coping - non-conforming to standard interpersonal rules, e.g. maintaining eye contact + respecting personal space + severe personal distress and irrational behaviour that endangers them or others
example : intellectual disability disorder, given to low IQ, failing to function adequately
what is deviation from ideal mental health
assumption : mental health is the absence of disease as measured against a criteria of ideal mental health based on Jahoda’s 1968 criteria - no symptoms of distress; rational and accurate self-perception; good self-esteem and lack of guilt ; autonomous ; successfully work and enjoy leisure
describe : looks at normality and abnormality very differently, ignores what makes someone abnormal and look for what makes them normal - focussing on the absence of disease
example of diagnosable ab : someone’s inability to hold down a job could be seen as deviation from ideal mental health, failing to cope with the pressures of work
strength of statistical infrequency
P: useful in clinical practice
E: mathematical way of identifying people who are abnormal which means we can use scientifically standardised diagnostic tools such as the DSM-V, e.g. IDD diagnosed using DSM-V IQ identified using a standardised test or BDI is a standardised depression screening tool
A: therefore, we are likely to have an objective diagnosis as it is based on statistics not the opinion of the clinician
C: using this definition will control clinician bias
E: matters because this definition made using standardised tools will have more scientific credibility under this definition which means it helps clinical practise contribute to psychology meeting its aims of scientifically credible mental health system
weakness of statistical infrequency
P: usual characteristics can be positive as well as negative
E: for every person with an IQ below 70 there is another with an IQ above 130, we would not think of someone as abnormal for having a high IQ, we would not think of someone with very low score on BDI as abnormal,
A: this shows that being unusual at one end of a spectrum does not necessarily make someone abnormal. this means that under this definition people may be unnecessarily labelled and therefore stigmatised
C: therefore, although statistical infrequency can form part of assessment and diagnostic procedures, it is never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality
E: matters because it could lead to social isolation because the person is too clever to be normal. consequently, using this definition for good but unusual aspects results in over diagnosis, and limits its real life application so does not help psychology’s credibility as useful discipline
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P: benefits versus problem
E: some people benefit from being classed as abnormal
A:
C:
E:
strength of deviation from social norms
P: useful in clinical practice
E: this is because we can identify the signs or symptoms that make up a disorder e.g. schizotypal and antisocial personality disorder
A: the ability to identify the signs of schizotypal and antisocial personality disorder is a strength because it suggests the definition has real life application , we can identify through youth centres, young people with ASPD and put them through socialisation programmes and prevent them from developing into hardened criminals
C: anti-social behaviour could be reduced making society a safer place
E: therefore, when it is used as basis for intervention in some behaviours, this definition helps clinician make a positive impact on people’s lives meaning it meets psychology’s aims to make a positive contribution to society
strength of failure to function adequately
P: useful for clinical practice
E: people can identify when they need help and volunteer to get help. e.g. people with depression not being able to hold down a job due to a lack of motivation
A: this means that if individuals are willing to seek professional help for themselves, the therapy process is likely to be more effective as they will be more motivated
C: therefore, the definition has real world application
E: matters because this definition helps to improve cost-effectiveness for the NHS, if less therapy sessions are needed and the person is returned to work, clinician will be available to see other patients. helping meet psychology’s aims of contributing to the economy
strength of deviation from ideal mental health
P: useful for clinical practice
E: it has a comprehensive view allowing clinicians to identify and prioritise the areas that need to be targeted in therapy; e.g. jahoda’s concept of ideal mental health - no symptoms of distress, self-actualisation would not be met by a person with schizophrenia
A: therefore, the definition has real world application
C: this means that individual can be treated as a whole, by different professional who will have varying routes to intervention e.g. bring in a family therapist to educate the family how to support the patient, CBT specialist to help them with irrational thinking…
E: matters because the use of this definition helps clinical practise provide effective treatment since individuals can contribute fully to society and the economy because they are functioning at their highest level of potential
weakness from deviation from social norms
P: variability between social norms in different cultures and different situations
E: a person from one cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their standards rather than the person’s standards; e.g. the experience of hearing voices is the norm in some cultures but would be seen as a sign og abnormality in most parts of the UK. even within one cultural context social norms differ from one situation to another
A: therefore, it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different situations and cultures
C: this suggest it is too culturally relative to be used as a universal definition as it may be applicable only in individualist cultures
significant weakness as if someone from another culture is seen by a clinician, they may be biased in their interpretation of the symptoms and end up with a misdiagnosis
E: matters because it may undermine psychology’s aims to treat people fairly, in the way it deals with mental healthy in ethnic minorities when using the definition
weakness from failure to function adequately
P: easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
E: it is very hard to say when someone is really filing to function and they have simply chosen to deviate from social norms; e.g. table on the right, not having a job… might seem like failing to function. people might choose to have an alternative lifestyle. those who favour high-risk leisure activities could be classes as irrational and a danger to self
A: therefore people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted
C: however, it is hard to know when to use this definition, on one hand there are some circumstances in which most of us fail to cope. e.g. bereavement. it is unfair to just give someone a label that may cause them future problems just because they react differently
E: On the other hand someone’s distress, irrationality and danger to self or others are no less real just because their cause is clearly the circumstances. some people will require professional help to be able to function adequately following circumstances like bereavement.
In conclusion it is sometimes necessary to define people as abnormal when they fail to function adequately but it can be difficult to know when this is the case.
weakness of deviation from ideal mental health
P: may be culture-bound
E: some of jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health are located in the context of the US and europe. the concept of self-actualisation would be dismissed as self-indulgent in much of the world
A: this means that using this definition could result in culture bias if applied especially outside of westernised, educated democracies, hence it is difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental healthy from one culture to another
C: significant issue because it may result in ethnocentric views about other cultures as being inferior because they wont reach their potential
E: matters because it may led to discrimination and stereotyping when this is used, undermining psychology’s aims at unbiased practice
