Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
What is Statistical infrequency?
Abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare (found in very few people = abnormal)
What is deviation from social norms?
Deviation from “unstated” rules of how we ought to behave (violation of these rules = abnormal)
What is an example of a social norm and what does it help with?
🗣 = 👥👔👫
Politeness = oils the wheel of interpersonal relations
Evaluation of Statistical infrequency:
- Some abnormal behaviour is desirable
- some “normal” behaviours are “undesirable”
An example of an abnormal behaviour which is desirable?
💭📚✨⬆️
A high IQ
Evaluation of Statistical infrequency:
- Some abnormal behaviour is desirable
- some “normal” behaviours are “undesirable”
An example of a normal behaviour that is undesirable?
🙍🏽💊😞
Depression
Evaluation of Statistical infrequency:
- Some abnormal behaviour is desirable
- some “normal” behaviours are “undesirable”
What does the use of statistical infrequency mean we cannot distinguish between?
We are unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours
Evaluation of Statistical infrequency:
- Some abnormal behaviour is desirable
- some “normal” behaviours are “undesirable”
How could statistical infrequency be improved for identifying behaviours that need treating?
There would need to be a means of identifying infrequent and undesirable behaviours
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
-The cut-off point is subjectively determined
What is missing from statistical infrequency?
A way of deciding where to separate normality from abnormality
Evaluation of statistical infrequency-
-Statistical infrequency is sometimes appropriate
In what situation is the use of statistical criterion to define abnormality useful?
Intellectual disability
Evaluation of statistical infrequency-
-Statistical infrequency is sometimes appropriate
How is intellectual disability defined?
In terms of a normal distribution using the concept of standard deviations to establish a cut-off point for abnormality
Evaluation of statistical infrequency-
-Statistical infrequency is sometimes appropriate
How many standard deviations below the mean must one be classed in to be judged as having a mental disorder?
More than 2 standard deviations below
Evaluation of statistical infrequency-
-Statistical infrequency is sometimes appropriate
…however what is the diagnosis of mental disorder is made in conjunction with?
Failure to function adequately
Evaluation of deviation from social norms-
-susceptible to abuse
What is a flaw of the concept?
It could vary as time changes
Evaluation of deviation from social norms-
-susceptible to abuse
An example of social norms changing?
👬👭
Homosexuality was included under sexual and gender identity disorders in the DSM however today is socially acceptable.
Evaluation of deviation from social norms-
-susceptible to abuse
What does defining abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms open the door for?
Defining abnormalities based on prevailing social morals and attitudes
