Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
what is a social norm
unwritten behavioural expectations for society that vary due to time, context and culture
what is a social deviant
individuals who violate the norms (moral standards) of their society and are deemed abnormal
what are the four definitions of abnormality
- statistical infrequency
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequatley
- deviation from ideal mental health
how does deviation from social norms define abnormality
behaviours which violate moral standards (inappropriate and unacceptable) are abnormal
how does statistical infrequency define abnormality
any behaviour that is rare (according to a normal distribution) is abnormal
what is the DSM
a classification system used by clinicians to diagnose mental disorders
how does failure to function adequately define abnormality
not being able to cope with everyday life eg work or care for yourself
how does the failure to function adequately cause distress for
the person failing and/or those around them
what 7 points does the WHODAS use to assess functioning
1 - understanding and communicating
2 - getting around
3 - self care
4 - life activities
5 - participation in society
6 - getting on with others
7 - personal perspective
what is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality based on
the humanistic approach
how does the deviation from ideal mental health define abnormality
if we fail to meet the criteria for perfect psychological wellbeing we are abnormal
who came up with the criteria for ideal mental health
Jahoda
what are the 6 criteria for ideal mental health
1 - +ve attitudes to the self
2 - personal growth and self actualisation
3 - resistance to stress
4 - personal autonomy
5 - accurate perception of reality
6 - mastery of the environment
what is meant by positive attitudes towards the self in Jahoda’s criteria
high self esteem, positive self concept, strong sense of identity
what is meant by personal growth and self actualisation in Jahoda’s criteria
becoming everything you are capable of
what is meant by resistance to stress in Jahoda’s criteria
the use of effective coping strategies
what is meant by personal autonomy in Jahoda’s criteria
independence, self reliance and self regulation
what is meant by accurate perception of reality in Jahoda’s criteria
realistic views on life
what is meant by mastery of the environment in Jahoda’s criteria
the ability to love, function at work, solve problems, adapt to situations
the greater number of Jahoda’s criteria individuals fail to meet the ?
more abnormal they are - making them more vulnerable to mental disorder
what is WHODAS
the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule
what is meant by personal perspective in the WHODAS
mental disorders being regarded from the perception of the individuals suffering them
