Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the 4 ‘D’s of abnormality?
Deviance, Distress, Dysfunction, and Danger
What is the theoretical fifth ‘D’?
Duration
Definition of ‘Dysfunction’
This states that a person is mentally ill if their symptoms are interfering with their ability to live their life.
Definition of ‘Distress’
This refers to the extent of which a person is suffering or upset by their symptoms.
Definition of ‘Danger’
There is two levels of danger- ‘Danger to themselves’ or ‘Danger to others’. A person is seen as mentally ill if they fulfill either characteristic.
Definition of ‘Deviance’
Deviance can be split into two types ‘Statistical deviance’ and ‘Social Deviance’. A person is seen as abnormal if they fulfill either trait.
Definition of the fifth ‘D’- Duration
This is a theorized diagnosis tool that refers to the length of the symptoms.
Evaluation of ‘Dysfunction’
Strengths:
More realistic as it recognizes the complexity of illness.
Takes societal and cultural context into account.
Weakness:
Much of this criteria is subjective (some people may function differently)
This may just be a societal construction of popular opinion.
Evaluation of ‘Distress’
Strengths:
Distress is easy to monitor and is objectively observed.
It can allow therapists to use a ‘scale’ in treatment.
Weaknesses:
It is quite subjective (some people can cope better)
Therapists must acknowledge the cause of the distress. Outlying factors could be causing distress (death, grief).
Evaluation of ‘Danger’
Strengths:
It can be largely objective (it is clear if a person is harming others).
Diagnosis reduces the harm.
Weaknesses:
A person may hide such intentions.
Not all mentally ill people harm themselves or others.
Evaluation of ‘Deviance’ (Social deviance)
Strengths:
It takes culture into account, and culture has been proven to affect mental health.
It is a more flexible definition as societal norms can change.
Weaknesses:
People can deviate from social norms and not be mentally ill.
This could be used as social control, to discriminate against minorities.
Evaluation of ‘Deviance’ (Statistical deviance)
Strengths:
This creates an objective, less culturally biased method of abnormality.
It creates a ‘cut-off’ point for abnormality.
Weaknesses:
It doesn’t distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviors.
Some rare behavior may not need clinical attention.
