Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
Name the 4 definitions of abnormality
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function adequately
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from ideal mental health
Reword/simplify ‘deviation from social norms’
Deviating from/Going against acceptable ways of behaving
What are the two categories for the rules of behaviour?
- Implicit
- Explicit
Define ‘implicit and ‘explicit’
- Implicit rules of behaviour are unspoken
- Explicit rules are defined by law
Finish the PEE paragraph: A strength of using DFSN is that it takes into account the effect of an individual’s beh.
- Takes into account the effect of an individual’s behaviour
- e.g. If it damages others
- DFSN recognises importance of structure in society
Finish the PEE paragraphs for 2 limitations of DFSN (1) Different cultures have different norms (2) social norms can be influenced by majority/authority
(1) E=Arranged marriages. E=Cultures mislabeled as abnormal
(2) E=Once, in China, glasses–> traitor. P=Norms can be created for a political purpose not abnormal
What does failure to function adequately mean?
Not being able to manage everyday tasks
To ‘diagnose’ an individual with failing to function adequately, what is the criteria?
- Dysfunctional behaviour
- Observer discomfort (distress caused to others)
One strength of ‘failure to function adequately’ as a definition of abnormality is that it is easy to judge… (PEE)
P=Easy to judge. E=Provides a practical checklist of criteria for an individual to assess themselves. P=Quicker for individuals to get treatment.
Finish PEE for two limitations of ‘failure to function adequately’ (1) Some think they’re coping well but other s disagree (2) It’s context dependent
(1) E=Bird phobia; staying away=coping and not coping. P=Causes confusion
(2) E=Bereavement/exam stress can cause FFA. E=Misidentified, actually a normal response
What can you see on a statistical infrequency curve?
- Normal beh.=clustered around mean (central group)
- Abnormal beh.=extremes of the curve
Finish PEE: One strength of ‘statistical infrequency’ as a definition of abnormality is that it has real life applications
E=All assessments of mental illness patients inc. measurement of symptom severity compared to stat. norms
E= SI is a useful part of clinical assessment
One limitation of statistical infrequency is that behaviours can be rare in one culture and common in others.
Finish this PEE paragraph
E=Hearing God’s voice is either infrequent OR a gift
E=Can’t have a universal norm, ignores the qualities of other cultures
One limitation of statistical infrequency is that statistical norms change over time because they’re related to social norms.
Finish this PEE paragraph
E=50 years ago, rare to find certain aged unmarried adults. Now, number of marriages per year is declining
E=Married couples will become the statistical infrequency, labeled as abnormal
What do the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health to do? (2)
- To behave appropriately
- To lead a happy life
What are the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health?
PARARA
- Positive view of yourself (high self-esteem)
- Actualisation
- Resistance to stress
- Autonomy
- Realistic perception of the world
- Ability to adapt to the demands of the environment
What is actualisation/self-actualisation?
Being motivated to develop and reach full potential
Who identified the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health?
Jahoda
One limitation of deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH) is that it is not an accurate definition of abnormality.
Finish this PEE paragraph
E=Suggests most are abnormal, very few people have all 6
E=Abnormal is unusual but if most are abnormal that makes them normal. NOT EFFECTIVE IN IDENTIFYING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
One limitation of DIMH is that it is based on the Western view of ‘ideal mental health’.
Finish this PEE paragraph
E=Actualisation (idea of improving yourself) is applicable in Western societies concerned with individuals. Society based cultures aren’t concerned with this
E= Other cultures classed as abnormal
One strength of DIMH is that it offers a positive approach to identifying mental illness.
Finish this PEE paragraph
E=Stresses the positive aspects of of being ‘normal’/what is desirable rather than what’s abnormal/undesirable
E=More ethical way of approaching mental health
