Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
What are the four definitions for abnormality?
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- Deviation from social norms
- Statistical infrequency
What is the failure to function adequately?
- Inability to cope with everyday living
- No longer coping
- Doesn’t conform to interpersonal rules
- Personal distress
- Behave in irrational or dangerous ways
Who proposed a list of ways to identify someone unable to cope?
Rosenham and Seligman (1989)
What is the deviation from ideal mental health?
- Looking at how a healthy person should be
- Can identify if anyone deviates from this ideal
Who proposed the criteria for the ideal mental health?
Jahoda (1958)
What was on the criteria of ideal mental health proposed by Jahoda (1958)?
- We have no symptoms or distress
- Rational and perceive ourselves accurately
- Self-actualism
- Cope with stress
- A realistic view of the world
- Good self-esteem and lack of guilt
- Independent of other people
- Successful work, love and enjoy our leisure
Can there be an overlap of failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health?
Yes
Does failure to function adequately recognise the patient’s perspective?
Yes
Which four types of definitions of abnormality are the same?
Failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health
Why is it a limitation to define someone as abnormal if they fail to function adequately?
People prefer to live an alternative lifestyle or do extreme sports
Judging some criteria are shown to be down to subjectivity why is this a limitation?
Difficult to show if a person is distressed or distressing
How have criterias evolved to be more objective for identifying an abnormality?
Checklist on a global network (Global Assessment of Functional Scale)
Why is the deviation from ideal mental health comprehensive?
Definitions cover a broad range of criteria for mental health
Why is it a limitation of the definitions being culturally relative?
Individualist and collectivists have a much different perspective
What is a specific problem with deviation from ideal mental health?
An unrealistically high standard for mental health
What is statistical infrequency?
- Defines anything ‘abnormal’ or ‘normal’ in terms of number of times it is observed
- Behaviour which is rarely seen is abnormal
What is an example of statistical infrequency?
IQ
What is a deviation from social norms?
- Abnormality is based on a social context
- People behave differently to how they are expected
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
Antisocial personality disorder (APD)
Why does statistical infrequency have a real-life application?
- Part of clinical assessment
- Patients can be assessed compared to a statistical norm
What is a major default in the statistical infrequency?
Some unusual characteristics can be positive e.g like a high IQ
Why may labels from the definitions of abnormality be a limitation?
Someone living a happy and fulfilled life may not benefit from a label
If you make some seem so abnormal from social norm what effect can that have on their human rights?
They may be abused - like black slaves
