Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What is abnormality?

Answer 1

A psychological or behavioural state leading to impairment of interpersonal functioning and/or distress to others

Question 2

What is the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?

Answer 2

Any behaviour that differs from societal norms is abnormal, therefore labelling individuals behaving abnormally as social deviants. This allows interference in their lives. These norms vary across age, culture, gender and more

Question 3

What strengths does the deviation from social norms definition have?

Answer 3

• Helps people
• Has a social dimension
• Situational and developmental norms
• Clearly distinguishes between normal and abnormal
• Protects society

Question 4

What weaknesses does the deviation from social norms definition have?

Answer 4

• Subjective
• Norms change over time
• Individualism
• Ethnocentric bias in diagnosis
• Cultural differences

Question 5

What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 5

This sees individuals as abnormal when they cannot cope with everyday life, and behaviour causes distress leading to an inability to function properly, such as disrupting the ability to work. Such individuals are often characterised by not being able to experience the usual range of emotion or behaviour

Question 6

What does the failure to function adequately definition focus on?

Answer 6

Individual suffering, which draws attention to the personal experiences associated with mental disorders

Question 7

Who suggested that personal dysfunction has seven features?

Answer 7

Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 8

What are the seven features of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 8

• Personal distress
• Maladaptive behaviour
• Unpredictability
• Irrationality
• Observer discomfort
• Violation of moral standards
• Unconventionality

Question 9

What does the “personal distress” element of the failure to function adequately definition include?

Answer 9

Depression and anxiety disorders

Question 10

What does the “maladaptive behaviour” element of the failure to function adequately definition mean?

Answer 10

Behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals, both socially and occupationally

Question 11

How do clinicians assess how well individuals cope with everyday life?

Answer 11

Using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF), which rates the level of social, occupational and psychological functioning

Question 12

What are the strengths of the failure to function adequately definition?

Answer 12

• Matches the sufferers’ perceptions
• Assesses degree of abnormality
• Observable behaviour
• Practical checklist
• Recognises the personal experience of sufferers

Question 13

What are the limitations of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 13

• Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction (Harold Shipman)
• Subjective nature of the features of dysfunction
• Normal abnormality, e.g. grieving
• Distress to others does not mean the individual is distressed (Stephen Gough the naked rambler)
• Personally rewarding abnormality
• Cultural differences

Question 14

What is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

Answer 14

This perceives abnormality in a similar way to how physical health is assessed; by looking for an absence of wellbeing, therefore making any deviation from what is normal, abnormal

Question 15

Who created the ideal mental health definition of abnormality and how many characteristics of ideal mental health did she develop?

Answer 15

Marie Jahoda; 6

Question 16

What are the six characteristics of ideal mental health?

Answer 16

• Positive attitude towards oneself
• Self-actualisation
• Autonomy
• Resisting stress
• Accurate perception of reality
• Environmental mastery

Question 17

What is “self-actualisation” in relation to characteristics of ideal mental health?

Answer 17

A state in which people are motivated to achieve their full potential

Question 18

What is “environmental mastery” in relation to characteristics of ideal mental health?

Answer 18

Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Having the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances

Question 19

What are the strengths of the deviation from the ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

Answer 19

• Positivity; focus on what is desirable
• Targets areas of dysfunction
• Holistic
• Goal setting

Question 20

What are the limitations of the deviation from the ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

Answer 20

• Over-demanding criteria
• Subjective criteria
• Contextual effects
• Changes over time
• Cultural variation
• Non-desirability of autonomy

Question 21

What is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

Answer 21

Behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal. What is regarded as statistically rare depends on the normal distribution. Usually about 5% of the population falls outside the normal distribution, which is two standard deviation points away from the mean

Question 22

What are the strengths of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

Answer 22

• Can be appropriate, e.g. mental retardation
• Objective
• No value judgements
• Evidence for assistance
• Based on real data
• Overall view

Question 23

What are the limitations of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

Answer 23

• Where to draw the line
• Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal, e.g. being highly intelligent
• Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent, e.g. depression
• Cultural factors