definitions of abnormality Flashcards
what is statistical infrequency?
when a person’s measurable behaviour deviates for the usual characteristic of o population by more then 2 standard deviations, so being in the top or bottom 5%
what is a example of statistical infrequency?
the average IQ is 100 but 2% of the population has a IQ below 70% and so this would lead to the diagnosis of a intellectual disability disorder
what are the strengths of the statistical infrequency definition?
it can be used to measure the severity of symptoms and therefore treatment options
what are the limitations of the statistical infrequency definition?
a high statistical infrequency score (IQ above 130) is not undesirable so it cannot be used to make a independent diagnosis
labelling may create a negative stigma
what condition is not diagnosed by statistical infrequency?
depression as it is very common 10% of people in the UK will experience depression
what is deviation from social norms?
behaviour that goes against what is deemed acceptable for the society a person lives in and does not fit the social norm and what is desired
what is a example of a disorder diagnosed by deviation from social norms?
antisocial personality disorder, the absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawfully or culturally normative ethical behaviour
what are the strength of the deviation from social norms definition?
it has real-life use in the diagnosis of disorders
includes the desirability of a disorder
what are the weaknesses of the deviation from social norms definition?
sometimes a break in social norms is developmental for example the American civil rights movement
ethnocentric
can be used to abuse human rights (minorities right to be different)
subjective
not consistent across time
what disorder does deviation from social norms not diagnose?
neurotics which a desperate need to conform, which is a disorder
what is failure to function adequately?
when a person no longer copes with the ordinary demands of everyday life defined by Rosenham and Seligman
what us Rosenhan and Seligman’s definition of failure to function?
no perception of personal space
experience serve personal distress
irrational, unpredictable and dangerous behaviour
observer discomfort
violation of moral or ideal social standards
maladaptive behaviour
what are the strengths of the failure to function definition?
take into account the disorder has on a individual
judged using the global assessment of functioning scale so more reliable
what are the weaknesses of the failure to function definition?
not all disorders cause a failure to function
failure to function vs maladaptive behaviour e.g. extreme sports
limits personal freedom
human rights abuse
some people with mental disorders may not be distressed
what disorder would not be diagnosed by failure to function?
psychopathy, allows a person to function highly efficiently
