Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
How does Statistical Frequency define Abnormality?
Behaviour is abnormal if it’s statistically rare or if it deviates from the mean average in a normal population. In a normal distribution curve most people fall on or cluster around the mean point but those who fall on the edge or MORE THAN 2 standard deviation points away from the mean are statistically rare - this is called deviation from statistical norms
What is a normal distribution curve?
It is a bell shape frequency curve that shows the average spread of a characteristic of a population. This mathematical principle provides the basis for statistical infrequency
What is standard deviation?
It is a measure to show how far scores fall on either side of the mean
What is a strength of Statistical Infrequency?
It offers clear and visual guidelines to identify what is or isn’t normal behaviour by introducing the element of objectivity. There is no rooms for opinion which prevents mental health care workers from disputing if a patient is abnormal. Therefore there is no bias involved which increases the accuracy of this definition
How has Statistical frequency had real world application/use?
Useful in the clinical assessment of intellectual disability in patients. Doctors use IQ tests to determine if the score is below 70 which is considered abnormal. The 2.5% of the population who score below 70 have been diagnosed with Intellectual Disability Disorder. So this aids the diagnosis of patients therefore allowing those to receive the treatment required for a healthy and fulfilling life
What is the mean and standard deviation of IQ?
Mean IQ is 100 and standard deviation is 15. 68% of the population fall 1 standard deviation point away so score 85-115. 95% of the population fall 2 standard deviation points away so score 70-130. 5% of population fall more than two standard deviation points away.
What is a weakness of Statistical Infrequency?
The cut-off point at which we separate normal from abnormal on a normal distribution is subjective and therefore based on opinion. Someone close to cut-off point wont be able to receive treatment even if they require it. This impacts individuals as they may need to pay privately for treatment. Although the wider economic impact on NHS not being under pressure outweighs this cost. Or some people may be wrongly considered abnormal e.g. the trait sleeping difficulty is subjectivity chosen to diagnose patients with depression yet this trait may not be the result of depression.
What is another weakness of Statistical infrequency?
Some behaviours that are considered abnormal are actually statistically frequent rather than rare. Depression is a common psychopathology - in a survey by NHS in 2014, 1 in 6 adults met the criteria for a common mental health disorder. So this definition does not match with the high incidents of mental health in society. The effects of COVID is likely increasing this figure
What is another disadvantage of this definition?
Assume all statistically rare traits are negative because they don’t fit the ‘normal’ distribution. However, an exceptionally high IQ of above 130 is actually highly desirable and can help individuals excel academically. This may make individuals feel negative about themselves which can impact on their mental health. So defining characteristics solely on deviation from statistical norms is unsuitable
Explain Deviation from Social Norms as a definition for abnormality
In society there are standards of expected behaviour and social norms (explicit written rules and laws or unwritten rules constructed by society) that must be followed to ensure society functions smoothly. The social norms can be context dependent or culturally specific (because norms are a group judgement of what’s acceptable). Those who deviate from the social norms and expected behaviours are deemed abnormal
Give an example of a context dependent social norm
Eating with cutlery and not hands is expected in a restaurant however its acceptable to eat with your hands at a BBQ
Given an example of a culturally specific social norm
There is greater acceptance of homosexuality in more secular and affluent countries like UK, US Canada and less acceptance in middle eastern countries
Give one strength of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality
Acknowledges and respects the cultural differences between societies so it doesn’t impose a set definition of abnormality that might, for example, impose a western view on eastern cultures. Therefore, it doesn’t suffer from cultural relativism and ethnocentrism like other definitions i.e. statistical infrequency
Give one weakness of deviation from social norms
Doesn’t consider people moving from one culture to another where there are different social norms to their country of origin. Fernando (1998) - people from an Afro-Caribbean background living in the UK are 7x more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than someone living in UK all their life. This is a ‘category failure’ where the western definition of mental illness has been placed on these individuals for not acting according to western cultural norms. The hallucinations and religious experiences e.g. talking to angels that those from an Afro-Caribbean heritage report, are a normal part of their culture but interpreted as abnormal by UK doctors. This problem needs to be considered even more today as globalization is accelerating migration across the world.
What is another disadvantage of deviation from social norms
Social norms are subject to change over time so this definition is era-dependent. So what was once deviant and therefore abnormal may be no longer (vice versa). Before the Sexual Offences Act 1967, homosexuality in the UK was socially deviant however, this law decriminalised homosexuality and ensured homosexual people are not discriminated against thereby making those who are prejudice the abnormal ones in today’s society.
