definitions of abnormality

Question 1

name two definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• statistical infreqency

- deviation from social norms

Question 2

define statistical infrequency

Answer 2

-using statistics
-usual behaviour can be thought of as normal and any behaviour that is different =abnormal
1. intellectual disability disorder
most people’s IQ scores will cluster around the same average(normal distribution= IQ of 100)
-fewer people will be above or bellow
-those who score 70 are unusual/ abnormal

Question 3

What is the definition of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

• behaviour that is different from accepted standards of behaviour in a community
• communities chose to define what behaviour is the norm
  1. anti-social personality disorder (psychopathy)
• typically impulsive and aggressive
• failure to conform to normative ethical behaviour

Question 4

How do social norms vary?

Answer 4

• they are specific to the culture we live in varying from each generation
• there are few behaviours that are considered universally abnormal
• homosexuality is viewed as abnormal in some cultures and normal in others

Question 5

evaluate real life application for statistical infrequency

Answer 5

STRENGTH

• seen in diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder SUBJECTIVE
• assessment of people with mental disorders include some kind of measurement in severity
• useful in clinical assessment

Question 6

Evaluate how unusual characteristics can be positive for statistical infrequency

Answer 6

WEAKNESS

• high IQ scores are as unusual as low IQ scores, but high intellect wouldn’t be seen as undesirable
• just because few people show it doesn’t mean it needs to be treated
• limitation as statistical infrequency cannot be used alone to make a diagnosis

Question 7

Evaluate how not everyone benefits from the label in statistical infrequency

Answer 7

WEAKNESS

• someone may be living a happy life but when being diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder this could have a negative effect on how they view them self
• they become distressed

Question 8

Evaluate how deviation from social norms is not a sole explanation

Answer 8

• strength is it has real life application in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder helps us think about what is normal and abnormal
• HOWEVER there are other factors to consider eg. Distress to others resulting from antisocial personality disorder eg. failure to function definition

Question 9

Evaluate cultural relativism in deviation from social norms

Answer 9

WEAKNESS
-social norms vary’s from generation
Therefore a person from culture A= may label someone as normel
Culture B= may view them as abnormal eg. Invading personal space
-creates problems for one culture living within another culture group

Question 10

Evaluate how deviation from social normS can lead to human rights abuse

Answer 10

WEAKNESS

• too much reliance on deviation from social norms =abuse of human rights
• historical diagnosis’ were there to maintain control over minority ethnic groups
• seem weird today because social norms have changed
• EG. Nymphomania - women’s sexual attraction to working class men