definitions of abnormality Flashcards
what is a norm
unwritten rule of how we should behave
-can be implicit or governed by law
what is abnormal (deviation from social norms)
-going against social norms
example of varying social norms
-sexuality over time
-genders
-cultures
positive of deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality (seperation)
-distinguish between desirable + undesirable (including affect on others)
-this isnt in statistical model
-practical and useful way of identifying damaging behaviour so can seek help
positive of deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality (personal)
-considers subjective personal experiences doesn’t make judgement without taking viewpoint of person
negative of deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality (abuse)
-victim susceptible to abuse
-danger of creating definition based on prevailing social and moral attitudes
example of negative of deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality (abuse)
-nowadays sexuality is normal
-in past, was under sexual and gender disorders in the DSM
what is the DSM
-Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
-states characteristics required for mental disorders
-very westernised
negative of deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality (culture)
-cultural relativism
-classification systems like the DSM are mostly based on western norms
-however revision of DSM in 2013 included cultural context e.g. in some cultures panic attack is uncontrollable crying but in others its difficulty to breathe
negative of deviation from social norms as definition of abnormality (dependant)
-deviance related to context and degree
-cannot offer complete definition
what is abnormality (statistical infrequency)
-behaviours that are extremely rare (top and bottom 2.5%)
-based on normal distribution
positive of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
-easily identify rare behaviours that may need attention
-once decided, there are objective, quantitative, valid cut off points
negative of statistical infrequency as definition of abnormality (subjective)
-cut off points are subjectively determined
-disagreement in abnormal from normal so difficult to define
negative of statistical infrequency as definition of abnormality
-unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable
-many abnormal behaviours considered desirable e.g. High IQ
and many normal behaviours undesirable e.g. depression
negative of statistical infrequency as definition of abnormality (culture)
-cultural relativism
-some statistically infrequent behaviours in some cultures are more frequent in others
definition of failure to function adequately
-failing to cope with everyday life
-causing personal suffering and distress (to others as well)
what is the DSM assessment of ability to function called
WHODAS
WHODAS 6 main considerations and how it works
-understanding and communicating
-getting around
-self-care
-getting along with people
-life activities, etc…
-rate statements out of 5, given score of 180
positive of using the DSM assessment WHODAS
-provides quantitative measures
positives of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality
-subjective experiences are recognised
-easy to judge objectively as can list behaviour
-contains certain sensitivity
negative of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality (culture)
-cultural relativism
-definitions are related to cultural ideas of how ones life should be lived
-resulting in different diagnosis as standard of one culture is being applied to others
negative of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality (who)
-who judges?
-if someone experiences personal distress, may recognise and seek help
-sometimes up to others to report behaviour as individual is content/ unaware of inability to cope
-subjective reporting
deviation from ideal mental health logic
-Jahoda (1998) pointed out that we define physical illnesses as absence of physical health
-deviation from ideal mental health indicates abnormality
Jahoda’s (1998) criteria of ideal mental health
1) self attitudes (self esteem and identity)
2) personal growth and self actualisation (extent to which person reach full potential)
3) integration (able to cope w stressful situations)
4) autonomy (independent and self regulating)
5) accurate perception of reality
6) mastery of environment (adjust to new conditions, love others and function at work)
negative of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality (unrealistic)
-criteria is unrealistic
-most of us would be considered “abnormal”
-criteria therefore subjective and difficult to measure
-so interesting concept but not useful/ applicable when identifying abnormality
positive of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
-positive approach (set goals)
-offers alternative perspective on mental disorders
-influences the positive psychology humanistic movement
-influence humanistic approach
negative of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality (culture)
-cultural relativism
-mental health criteria is culture bound
-self actualisation relevant to indivdualist cultures not collective cultures
negative of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality (equal)
-equates mental and physical health
-in general, physical illnesses have physical causes so can detect and diagnose
-some mental disorders also have physical causes but many dont
-cant diagnose mental abnormality same way as physical
example of statistical infrequency is psychology
-beck depression inventory- 30+ score is interpreted as severe depression
