Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
1
Q
Define statistical deviation and how it applies to abnormality
A
- occurs when an individual has an uncommon characteristic
2
Q
Give an example that falls into the category of statistical deviation
A
- People who do not fall into the normal distribution on a graph for a specific category can be seen as abnormal
- an example can be IQ, for eg the average IQ is 100, 68% have an IQ of about 85 ranging up to 115
- 2% of people have a score of below 70, and so they are classified as abnormal and may be diagnosed as suffering from intellectual disability disorder
3
Q
Define deviation from social norms
A
- when individuals behaviour differs from that which is considered normal and does not fit with what society deems as acceptable
4
Q
Why are norms not the same Worldwide
A
- norms are specific to the culture we live in, there are few behaviours that are considered universally abnormal
5
Q
Give a good example of someone that may deviate from social norms
A
- someone with antisocial personality disorder
- society deems them as abnormal because they do not conform to our moral standards
6
Q
What is a strength of statistical deviation
A
- it’s real life application
- all assessments of patients with mental disorders include some kind of measurement of how severe their symptoms are in comparison to the statistical norms
7
Q
What is a limitation of statistical deviation
A
- not everyone unusual benefits from a label, it could ruin their life or make it harder for them to live their life normally
8
Q
What is a strength of deviation from social norms
A
- it has real life application in the diagnoses of antisocial personality disorder
- however may never be the sole reason for defining abnormality
9
Q
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms
A
- too much reliance on this explanation can lead to the systematic abuse of human rights
- diagnoses used to be made to maintain control over minority ethnic groups and women
- however as society has changed so has the classification
