Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What are the four definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

1. Deviation from social norms
2. Failure to function adequately
3. Statistical infrequency
4. Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

Abnormality can be judged by looking at behaviour with regards to social norms which are approved and expected ways to behave in a particular society. Therefore any deviation from social norms shows that individual to be psychologically abnormal

Question 3

What is an example of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

Eating three meals a day but someone with anorexia won’t eat anything

Question 4

What are two strengths of deviation from social norms?

Answer 4

It helps people so gives society the right to intervene in abnormal people’s lives.
It distinguishes between normal and abnormal people so the definition gives a clear indication of what is and isn’t seen as normal behaviour

Question 5

What are three limitations of deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

Norms change over time e.g. attitudes towards homosexuality therefore the definition of abnormality should be changed or updated
Norms can be very different in different cultures (cultural relativism) therefore abnormality should be amended depending on the culture you are in
Behaviour that deviates from social norms is not always a sign of psychopathology e.g. people doing bizarre things for a charity therefore the context of behaviour has to be taken into account before a diagnosis of abnormality is given

Question 6

What is failure of function adequately?

Answer 6

It considers psychological abnormality to be an inability to live a normal life. This means the ability to get up in the morning, go to work, engage in social relationships and feel a range of normal emotions. Seven features were considered and the more an individual has the more that are classed as abnormal

Question 7

Who created the seven functions about personal dysfunction?

Answer 7

Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 8

What are the seven features that Rosenhan and Seligman created?

Answer 8

Irrationality, observer discomfort, unpredictability, maladaptive behaviour, personal distress, violation of moral standards and unconventionality

Question 9

What is irrationality?

Answer 9

When a persons behaviour does not make sense to others and people may find it difficult to communicate with them

Question 10

What is observer discomfort?

Answer 10

Where other may find the behaviour uncomfortable to observe

Question 11

What is unpredictability?

Answer 11

Behaviour that wouldn’t be expected given the particular circumstances

Question 12

What is maladaptive behaviour?

Answer 12

If behaviour interferes with a persons usual daily routine

Question 13

What is personal distress?

Answer 13

A key feature of abnormality that includes depression and anxiety

Question 14

What is violation of moral standards?

Answer 14

Displaying behaviour violating societies moral standards

Question 15

What is unconventionality?

Answer 15

Displaying unusual behaviours

Question 16

What are two strengths of failure to function adequately?

Answer 16

It’s observable behaviour so it allows judgement op y others of whether the individuals are functioning properly
It uses a checklist so individuals can use it to assess their level of abnormality and it provides quantitative data

Question 17

What are three limitations of failure of function adequately?

Answer 17

It ignores the context but the behaviour needs to be viewed in the context before a diagnosis of abnormality is given
Psychological disorders may not prevent people from functioning adequately e.g. people who show no guilt (serial killer) may be perfectly normal most of the time so that definition fails to include individuals who do have a psychological disorder and can function adequately
Cultural relativism as behaviours ,au vary from culture to culture so the definition should be amended depending on the culture you are in

Question 18

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 18

Behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal. A normal distribution curve is used and most people will be on or near the mean. Any individual who falls outside of the normal distribution, usually about 5% of the population (2sd) are said to be abnormal

Question 19

What are two strengths of statistical infrequency?

Answer 19

It’s objective as a cut off point has been agreed therefore it relies on real, unbiased data
Statistical evidence that a person has a mental disorder can be used to justify requests for psychiatric assistance

Question 20

What are four limitations of statistical infrequency?

Answer 20

It’s not clear how far behaviour should deviate from the norm to be seen as abnormal
Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal e.g. high intelligence is statistically rare but desirable
Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent e.g. depression is seen to common so it’s not seem to be abnormal
Cultural relativism, what is seen as statistically normal in one culture may not be in another

Question 21

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 21

We first need to know what normal mental health is and therefore anything that deviates from this would be seen as abnormal

Question 22

Who researched deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 22

Jahoda

Question 23

What six characteristics did Jahoda say were important for ideal mental health?

Answer 23

1. The ability to cope with stress
2. Self actualisation (reach full potential)
3. A positive self concept and a sense of identity
4. Personal autonomy (not depending on others)
5. Environmental mastery (being contempt in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation and having the flexibility to adapt to changing life circumstances
6. Accurate perception of reality

Question 24

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have the ability to cope with stress?

Answer 24

People with anxiety and depression can’t cope and have panic attacks

Question 25

What is an example of someone who does have self actualisation?

Answer 25

Someone with anorexia wouldn’t be able to reach their ideal body image

Question 26

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have a positive self concept?

Answer 26

Someone with anorexia would think that they are overweight and then don’t have a positive body image

Question 27

What is an example of someone that doesn’t have personal autonomy?

Answer 27

Someone with autism may need a carer at all times

Question 28

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have environmental mastery?

Answer 28

Someone with OCD would need a routine

Question 29

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have an accurate perception of reality?

Answer 29

Someone with schizophrenia would lose touch with reality

Question 30

What are two strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 30

The definition emphasises positive achievements rather than failures and distress as it focuses on what is desirable
It permits identification of exactly what’s needed to achieve normality which allows for the creation of personal goals to work towards and achieve this which facilitates self growth

Question 31

What are two limitations of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 31

Jahodas list is specific to western cultures and therefore it doesn’t apply to other cultures e.g. self actualisation cannot be reached it poorer countries as their basic needs are not met therefore the definition should be amended on the culture you are in
Most people do not fulfil this ideal of mental health but this doesn’t mean that they have psychological problems