definitions of abnormality

Question 1

what is meant by deviation from social norms?

Answer 1

Every society has a set of norms both explicit and implicit. When someone does not abide to these, this would be defined as abnormal. Therefore, abnormal behaviour is defined as that which goes against unwritten rules and expectations in society.

Question 2

strengths of deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Distinguishes between what is desirable and not which is explicit in comparison to other models which only distinguish what is normal from the individual without considering society.

Question 3

limitations of deviation from social norms

Answer 3

You have to consider the context of the situation as different situations make it acceptable to act in different ways than you would in other situations.*

Different countries have different norms therefore it may not be applicable to transfer our social ideas of normal from one to another

.* Social norms change over time therefore we have to consider the temporal validity of behaviour.* It is not clear who decides the norm as we cannot be sure if it is set by the majority or by a select group of individuals

Question 4

What is meant by failure to function adequately

Answer 4

Failure to function adequately (FFA) refers to abnormality that prevent the person from carrying out the range of behaviours that society would expect from them, such as getting out of bed each day ,holding down a job etc. Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggests abnormality is defined as the following:

• When an observer feels uncomfortable around their behaviour
• When someone’s behaviour is unpredictable
• When someone’s behaviour is irrational and hard to understand
• When someone is maladaptive and their daily routines are interfered with

Question 5

strengths of failure to function adequately

Answer 5

threshold for professional help - in any given year 25% of us experience symptoms of mental disorder to some degree. we normally press on, but when we cease to function adequately we are referred for professional help. means failure to function provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need them most

Question 6

limitations of failure to function adequately

Answer 6

• This may not a true definition, but a way of deciding how bad their problems are.
• There are often exceptions to the rule, where maladaptive behaviour is not abnormal but due to a specific circumstance
  .* Cultural relativism – what is considered adequate in one culture might not be so in another.
• FFA is context dependent; not eating can be seen as failing to function adequately but prisoners on hunger strikes making a protest can be seen in a different light
• Many disorders do not cause personal distress or distress to others neglecting behaviours such as smoking addiction etc.

Question 7

what is meant by deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 7

There are a set of mental characteristics that we should have to be normal. Those who not meet these criteria are defined as abnormal. Jahoda (1958) states and individual should be and strive to meet the following– the more criteria someone fails to meet, the more abnormal they are:
1. Self-attitudes: have high self-esteem and sense of identity.
2. Personal growth: self-actualisation of their own full capabilities.
3. Integration: Resistant and able to cope with stress.
4. Autonomy: Being independent and self-regulating.
5. Accurate perception of reality.
6. Mastery of environment: the ability to love, function at work, in relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems

Question 8

strengths of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 8

ideal mental health provides a range of criteria for mental health. it covers most of the reasons why we might need help with mental health. this means that mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals. therefore provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others

Question 9

limitations of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 9

• Difficulty of meeting all criteria, very few people would be able to do so and this suggests that very few people are psychologically healthy.
• The criteria are subjective and not operationalised, so being defined as abnormal is not objective.
• These ideas are culture-bound, based on a Western idea of ideal mental health: cultural relativism

Question 10

what is meant by statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

Statistical infrequency states that abnormal behaviour is that which is rare / uncommon /anomalous. That within the centre of the bell is defined as normal however, anything outside of that at either end of the spectrum would be defined as abnormal

Question 11

strengths of statistical infrequency

Answer 11

• Practical applications in measuring IQ and mental disorders through looking a number of standard deviations below the mean they are.

Useful in diagnosis, e.g intellectual disability disorder because this requires an iq in the bottom 2%, as well as assessing a range of conditions. This means that statistical infrequency is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes

Question 12

limitations of statistical infrequency

Answer 12

Some abnormal behaviour is desired. A high IQ which would be off the scale is a desirable trait.
* The cut-off point is subjective therefore we cannot be sure at what point someone is defined as abnormal.
* Viewing abnormality in this way can lead to stigmatisation of groups
.* Some disorders are not statistically rare such as anxiety meaning that this would fail to account for all ‘abnormal’ behaviour.