Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
State the definitions for abnormal behaviour
Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, deviation from ideal mental health.
Outline what is meant by statistical infrequency.
statistically rare or deviating from the mean average of normal behaviours are abnormal. certain characteristics are measured by statistics and behaviours are gathered to show how they are distributed amongst the general population
how do we use statistics to uncover abnormalities?
by drawing a normal distribution curve from behaviours of the general population we can see individuals that fall two standard deviation points away as abnormal
outline two reasons why statistical infrequency is a good measure of abnormality.
because intellectual ability or retardation can be measured easily using statistical criteria. It is objective once a way of collecting data and a cut-off point are established.
outline two limitations with using statistical infrequency to define abnormality.
defining characteristics on statistical rarity is unsuitable, for example, people with high IQ’s will be classed as abnormal. Imposed etic of whatever culture is measuring the behaviour; western measures are therefore culturally biased.
outline what is meant by deviation from social norms
breaking the standards of acceptable behaviour can be classed as abnormal. social norms usually address fundamental needs of society and therefore are necessary.
what is the main problem with using deviation from social norms as a way to define abnormalities?
social norms change all the time. behaviours that were classified as abnormal years ago may be classed as normal now and vice versa. for example, the suffragettes were seen as deviant and homosexuality was not accepted as normal.
using an example, outline another common issue with using social norms as a way of defining abnormality.
social norms are subject to culture bias as western social norms reflect the western population and so other cultures may be seen as abnormal because of their customs being based on different values. for example, black people are more commonly diagnosed with schizophrenia than white people in western countries.
outline what is meant by failure to function adequately
failure to function adequately is the inability to cope with the daily demands of life and so behaviour that is unable to meet demands is classified as abnormal.
what features of abnormality, based on failure to function adequately did Rosenhan et al suggest?
observer discomfort, irrationality, maladaptive behaviours, unpredictability and personal distress.
what issues are there with defining abnormality based on failure to function adequately?
it requires external judgement which may be subjective. •bnormality thus cannot be defined from different cultures or even socio-economic backgrounds. psychopaths appear normal on the surface (Harold Shipman)
outline the characteristics of ideal mental health outlined by Jahoda
positive attitudes to oneself, self-actualisation, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, resisting stress and environmental mastery
what is the culture bias problem with Jahoda’s characteristics?
they are ideals based on western culture and thus incorrect diagnoses could result in other cultures. this may also be the case in different socio-economic backgrounds as people from these have a difficulty achieving these criteria
what other problems are there with Jahoda’s characteristics?
they are over-demanding and unrealistic. most people would therefore be classed as abnormal. it is also subjective and too vague to measure therefore not comparable to physical health as it is objectively measured.
