Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency

Answer 1

When a persons behaviour is statistically rare

Question 2

How is statistical infrequency measured

Answer 2

On a normal distribution curve. If they fall out of the 5% then they are deemed statistically rare

Question 3

Example of statistical infrequency

Answer 3

Intellectual disability disorder

IDD

Question 4

what is IDD

Answer 4

When a person has an IQ below 70. They may struggle to cope with the demands of everyday life E.G cooking, going to work etc

Question 5

Percentage of people with an IQ below 70

Answer 5

2%

Question 6

Average IQ

Answer 6

85-115

Question 7

strengths of statistical infrequency definition

Answer 7

-Clear cut off point- clear to determine an abnormality
-Quantitative data- easy to analyse

Question 8

Limitations of statistical infrequency definition

Answer 8

-Cut off point is too specific. E.G people with an IQ of 71 will not pass for support

-Doesn’t distinguish between a desirable and undesirable abnormality E.G high IQ is just as rare as a low IQ

-Not all disorders are rare. E.G anxiety- 1in5. Depression -1in6

Question 9

Deviation from social norms

Answer 9

A persons behaviour does not conform to the unwritten rules and expectations of society

Question 10

What do social norms depend on

Answer 10

Time, place, culture

Question 11

Example of a deviation from social norms

Answer 11

Homosexuality once deviated from the dominant norms of heterosexuality

Question 12

When was homosexuality made legal

Answer 12

1963

Question 13

When was homosexuality deemed a mental disorder under the DSM

Answer 13

1967

Question 14

Strengths of deviation from social norms definition

Answer 14

Help us to identify behaviour that is dangerous or breaks the law

Question 15

Limitations of the deviation from social norms defintion

Answer 15

-Hindsight bias
-Cultural bias

Question 16

What is hindsight bias

Answer 16

-Social norms can change overtime.
E.G homosexuality is no longer considered a deviation from social norms and society has become more diverse.
-This means that historically, people were discriminated against for basic human rights and so the social norm definition is not reliable

Question 17

What is cultural bias

Answer 17

-DSM has a tendency to favour western culture and not take into account the norms of other cultures.
-E.G in some African tribes auditory hallucinations is associated with communication with ancestors is widely accepted, while the DSM would most likely diagnose this as schizophrenia