DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

Judging abnormality by the number of times it is observed in data

Question 2

What is an example of a statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

Intellectual disability disorder may be diagnosed if someone scores below 70 on an IQ test

Question 3

How is statistical infrequency useful in real life?

Answer 3

It is a useful part of clinical assessment

Question 4

What are the limitations of using statistical infrequency to define abnormality?

Answer 4

LACKS ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY
- infrequent does not equal negative or need treatment, for example a very high IQ
ETHICAL ISSUES
- an ‘abnormal’ label may not be beneficial to real life and may worsen any problems, causing a negative psychological effect

Question 5

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

Behaviour that is different from collectively accepted societal standards in a community or group

Question 6

What is an example of deviation from social norms?

Answer 6

Antisocial personality disorder can be diagnosed if somebody has an ‘absence of prosocial internal standards’

Question 7

What does deviation from social norms overall test?

Answer 7

The desirability of certain behaviours

Question 8

What are the limitations of using deviation from social norms to test abnormality?

Answer 8

LACKS ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY
- there are always extraneous factors to consider
- cultural relativism means that social norms differ greatly between cultures
ETHICAL ISSUES
- reliance on deviation from social norms may lead to human rights abuses or control over minority groups [EX: woman + homosexuality in the past]

Question 9

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 9

When a person can no longer cope with everyday life, failing to maintain basic standards of health and hygiene

Question 10

How does failure to function adequately help identify abnormality?

Answer 10

It provides a basis for when a diagnosis can be given - for example, intellectual disability disorder is only diagnosed once the patient cannot function adequately

Question 11

What are the signs of failure to function adequately?

Answer 11

• doesn’t conform to standard interpersonal rules
• experiences severe personal distress
• behaviour is irrational or dangerous to themselves or others

Question 12

What is a strength of using failure to function adequately to test abnormality?

Answer 12

It takes into account the perspective of the patient, and their subjective experience

Question 13

What are the limitations of using failure to function adequately to test abnormality?

Answer 13

SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT
- it is hard to judge when someone is suffering enough to be seen as ‘failing to function’
ETHICS
- may risk limiting personal freedom, as some people may choose alternative lifestyles which are labelled as ‘failure to function adequately’

Question 14

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 14

Focusing on what qualifies as ‘normal’ in order to identify when someone is deviating from it

Question 15

What is ideal mental health?

Answer 15

• no symptoms/distress
• good self-esteem
• rationality
• independence
• success
• ability to self-actualise

Question 16

What is a strength of using deviation from ideal mental health to test abnormality?

Answer 16

By comparing behaviour to a comprehensive list, it covers a wide range of symptoms that may suggest mental health problems

Question 17

What are the limitations of using deviation from ideal mental health to test abnormality?

Answer 17

CULTURE-BOUND
- some of the ideals are based on Western individualist culture, such as independence and self-actualisation, which are not as important in collectivist cultures
HIGH STANDARDS
- majority would deviate from the given list, however not everyone would be considered abnormal