Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from social norms
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- Statistical infrequency
What is the definition of failure to function adequately?
An individual is abnormal if they display an inability to cope with everyday life
Why are some individuals not able to function adequately?
The distress caused by the abnormal behaviour prevents the individual from functioning properly
- E.g. it may disrupt their ability to work or maintain friendships/form relationships
What are an individuals emotions like if they fail to function adequately?
These individuals usually fail to display the usual range of emotions
What did Rosehan & Seligman suggest about failure to function adequately?
Rosehan & Seligman suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features, the more an individual has, the more abnormal they are
What are the 4 of the 7 features that Rosehan & Seligman suggested personal dysfunction has?
Personal distress, maladaptive behaviour, unpredictability and irrationality
What is used to assess how well individuals cope with everyday life, regarding failure to function adequately?
The Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) which rates their social, occupational and psychological functioning
What are the strengths of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
- Observable behaviour
- It recognises the patient’s perspective
- Checklist
What are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
- Who judges?
- Adaptive
- Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
- Cultural differences
What is the definition of deviation from social norms?
A failure to obey society’s unwritten social rules for acceptable behaviour
What does the definition of deviation from social norms draw the line between?
The definition draws a line between desirable and undesirable behaviours and labels individuals who behave undesirably as social deviants
Who is seen as antisocial and consequently abnormal?
People who break the social norms regarding decency, politeness and sexual behaviours
What are the strengths of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
- Helps people
- Protects society
- Developmental norms
- Clarity
What are the weaknesses of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
- Subjective
- Change over time
- Cultural differences
What is the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?
A failure to meet a list of criteria that state what is healthy
Who came up with the criteria for ideal mental health?
Jahoda
What did Jahoda do?
Jahoda identified 6 characteristics that individuals should exhibit in order to display ideal mental health. The more criteria an individual fails to meet, the more abnormal they are and the more likely they are to have a mental disorder
What were Jahoda’s 6 criteria?
Self-actualisation, autonomy, resisting stress, accurate perception of reality, environmental mastery and high self-esteem and strong sense of identity
What do you have to do to meet the self-actualisation of Jahoda’s criteria?
Realising your own potential. People should be motivated to achieve their potential and as a result experience personal growth and development
What do you have to do to meet the autonomy of Jahoda’s criteria?
Being independent, self-reliant and able to make your own decisions
What do you have to do to meet the resisting stress of Jahoda’s criteria?
Having effective coping strategies and being able to cope with everyday anxiety-provoking situations
What do you have to do to meet the accurate perception of reality of Jahoda’s criteria?
Having a realising and objective view of the world
What do you have to do to meet the environmental mastery of Jahoda’s criteria?
Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Having the flexibility to adapt to changing life circumstances
What do you have to do to meet the high self-esteem and strong sense of identity of Jahoda’s criteria?
A self-respect and a positive self-concept
What are the strengths of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?
- Positivity
- Target areas of dysfunction
- Goal setting
What are the weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?
- Demanding criteria
- Subjective criteria
- Jahoda’s criteria are culturally biased
What is the definition of statistical infrequency?
Behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal
Who is perceived as abnormal according to statistical infrequency?
An individual who displays behaviour that falls outside of ‘the normal distribution’ (usually 5%)
What is an example of statistical infrequency?
Anxiety can be assessed using Spielberg’s state trait anxiety inventory. The mean score is 40. People who score 55+ are statistically rare as only 1 in 50 people score this high. High scores are deviant from the majority of the population
What are the strengths of statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality?
- Can be appropriate
- Objective
What are the weaknesses of statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality?
- Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal
- Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent
- Cultural factors
