Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency?
When an individual has a less common characterisitic and so therefore that is seen as abnormal.
What is a strength of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?
It has practical application, like in diagnosing an intellectual disability disorder by looking at the normal distribution of IQ’s.
What is a weakness of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?
It says unusual characteristics are negative when they can be a good thing, not everyone unusual benefits from a label of abnormal
What is deviation from social norms?
When behaviour is different from the accepted standards in a community.
What is a strength of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
It has practical application in diagnosing antisocial personality disorder, it takes into account desirability of a trait.
What is a weakness of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
Cultural relativism means that in different cultures behaviour is seen as normal or abnormal, can lead to human rights abuse as social differences can lead to abuses of rights to be different.
What is failure to function adequately?
When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living.
What is a strength of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
It acknowledges the patients perspective
What is a weakness of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
It is hard to distinguish between failure to function adequately and social norms for example with travellers, the judgement is subjective as to whether you are functioning or not.
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
When someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health.
What is Jahoda’s criteria of ideal mental health?
We have no symptoms or distress, we are rational, we can self-actualise, we can cope with stress, we have good self esteem, we have environmental mastery, we are independent
What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?
It is a comprehensive definition, covering a broad range of criteria for mental health.
What is a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?
It has cultural relativism as some ideas like independence are individualist and may not apply to collectivist cultures, it sets unrealistically high standards which are hard to maintain,
