Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
What is the AO1 for statistical infrequency?
Statistics is about analysing numbers. Any behaviour that is rarely seen is defined as abnormal i.e. statistical infrequency. For example, IQ is normally distributed. The average IQ is 100 so people vary between 85 and 115 so someone scoring below 70 would be seen as rare or abnormal in terms of statistical infrequency.
What is the AO1 for deviation from social norms?
Abnormality is based on social context. When a person acts differently then what is expected of them they are defined as abnormal. Societies and social groups make collective judgements about ‘correct’ behaviours in particular circumstances.
Name one strength of statistical infrequency (AO3) ?
P - One strength of statistical infrequency is its real-world application.
E - It is useful in diagnosis e.g. intellectual disability disorder because this requires an IQ in the bottom 2%.
E - This means that statistical infrequency is useful in the diagnostic and assessment processes.
Name one limitation of statistical infrequency (AO3) ?
P - One limitation is that unusual characteristics can also be positive.
E - If very few people display a characteristic, then the behaviour is statistically infrequent but doesn’t mean we would call them abnormal. For example, people with IQ scores over 130 are just as unusual with people who score below 70, but still they are not regarded as undesirable or needing treatment.
E - This means that, although that statistical infrequency can be part of defining abnormality, it can never be a sole basis.
Name another limitation of statistical infrequency (AO3) ?
P - One limitation of statistical infrequency is benefits versus problems.
E - When someone is living a happy life, there is no benefit to them being labelled as abnormal. However, the label of abnormality e.g. intellectual disability may carry a social stigma.
E - This means that labelling someone abnormal juts because they are statistically unusual is likely to do more harm the n good.
Name one strength of deviation from social norms (AO3) ?
P - One strength of deviation from social norms is its real-world application.
E - Deviation from social norms is useful in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder because this requires failure to conform to ethical standards.
E - This means that deviation from social norms is useful in psychiatric diagnosis.
Name one limitation of the deviation from social norms (AO3) ?
P - One limitation is that social norms are situationally and culturally relative.
E - A person from one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal using their own social norms rather than the other person’s social standards to make a judgement. For example, hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be seen as a sign of abnormality.
E - This means that it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms from one context to another.
Name another limitation of the deviation of social norms (AO3) ?
P - One limitation is that there may be human right abuses.
E - Reliance on deviation from social norms to understand abnormality can lead to the abuse of human rights e.g. nymphomania to control female behaviour.
E - This suggests that overall, the use of deviation from social norms to define abnormality may do more harm than good because of the potential for abuse.
What is the AO1 for the failure to function adequately?
It includes: the inability to cope with everyday living. Rosenhan and Seligman proposed further signs of failure to cope. When someone is not coping : They no longer conform to interpersonal rules, They experience severe personal distress, and They behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous.
What is the AO1 for the deviation from ideal mental health?
To define someone abnormal with mental health is to assess their psychological health. Jahoda listed 8 characteristics you have to follow to acquire ideal mental health : 1- We have no symptoms or distress. 2- We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately. 3- We self-actualise. 4- We can cope with stress. 5- We have realistic view of the world. 6- We have good self-esteem and lack guilt. 7- We are independent of other people. 8- We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure.
Name one strength of the failure to function adequately (AO3) ?
P - One strength of failure to function is as a threshold for professional help.
E - In any given year 25% of us experience some kind of mental disorder symptoms, most of the time we press on but when we cease to function adequately people seek or are referred for professional help.
E - This means that the failure to function criterion provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need them most.
Name one limitation of the failure to function adequately (AO3) ?
P - One limitation is this definition can lead to discrimination / social control.
E - It is hard to distinguish between failure to function and a conscious decision to deviate from social norms. For example, people may like to take part in high-risk leisure activities.
E - This means that people who make unusual choices can be labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice restricted.
Name another limitation of the failure to function adequately (AO3) ?
P - One limitation is the in some cases the failure to function adequately can be normal.
E - In some circumstances most of us can’t cope e.g. bereavement. It is unfair to give someone a label for reacting normally to difficult circumstances.
E - This means it is hard to know when to base a judgement of abnormality on failure to function.
Name one strength of the deviation from the ideal mental health (AO3) ?
P - One strength of the ideal mental health approach is being comprehensive.
E - Ideal mental health includes a range of criteria. 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.
E - Therefore ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others.
Name one limitation of the deviation of the ideal mental health (AO3)?
P - One limitation is the definition may be culture-bound.
E - Some criteria for ideal mental health are limited to the US and Europe, e.g. self-actualisation is not recognised in most of the world. Even in Europe there is levels of independence that is expected of people.
E - This means that it is very difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another.
