definitions of abnormality

Question 1

what are the different definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

• deviation from social norms
• statistical infrequency
• failure to function adequately
• deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

describe deviation from social norms

Answer 2

• norms = unwritten rules of acceptable behaviour
• anyone who behaves differently from these socially created norms are classed as abnormal

Question 3

give an example of deviation from social norms

Answer 3

• hand washing before for food prep is normal but washing hands 30x an hour is abnormal

Question 4

what are some A03 points of deviation from social norms

Answer 4

• issue of cultural relativism
• may be abusive of human rights
• practical applications

Question 5

describe an A03 point of deviation of social norms regarding issue of cultural relativism

Answer 5

• social norms differ between cultures –> what is considered normal in one may be abnormal in another
• eg: gay isn’t a norm in 75 countries
• definition of social norms isn’t universal

Question 6

describe an A03 point of deviation of social norms regarding abuse of human rights

Answer 6

• some slaves who broke social norms and ran away before the civil war were diagnosed with ‘Drapetomonia’
• definition of abnormality may have been used as a form of social control over minority groups as a mean to ‘treat’ ppl who don’t conform

Question 7

describe an A03 point of deviation from social norms regarding practical applications

Answer 7

• used in clinical practice
• the key characteristic if antisocial personality is failure to conform to norms
• may be valuable helping us to identify and treat disorders

Question 8

describe statistical infrequency

Answer 8

• behaviour is seen as abnormal is it is statistical uncommon
• looks at distribution of a particular behaviour within society

Question 9

give an example of statistical infrequency

Answer 9

• OCD would be classed as abnormal because less than 5% of population has it

Question 10

what are some overall A03 points of statistical infrequency

Answer 10

• some statistically infrequent behaviours are desirable
• practical application

Question 11

describe an A03 point of statistical infrequency regarding some statistical infrequent behaviours being desirable

Answer 11

• eg: having a high IQ is unusual yet it should be celebrated
• conversely, depression is known to be common yet not desirable
• needs to identify behaviours that are infrequent AND undesirable

Question 12

describe an A03 point of statistical