definitions of abnormality ao1 Flashcards
name the 4 definitions of abnormality
statistical deviation, deviation from social norms, deviation from ideal mental health, failure to function adequately
describe statistical deviation
psychologists analyse statistics to make judgments about whether a patients behaviour is normal or abnormal. we can make decisions about what is normal in terms of statistical convergence and then regard outliers and anomalies as abnormal
how is iq an example of statistical deviation
most of the population clusters around an average score of 100, on either side of the average we see fewer and fewer people (normal distribution). 68% have an iq between 85-115 and only 2.3% have below 70 or over 130 (considered abnormal). those with very low iq considered to be mentally
impaired and childhood low iq is associated with increased risk of mental illness as an adult.
define the DSM
an authoritative guidebook used by psychiatrists around the world to diagnose mental illnesses
what does each disorder in the DSM contain?
a list of summons and the statistical likelihood of those symptoms occurring together in someone who is not suffering from a particular mental disorder
define deviation from social norms
considering someone abnormal when they deviate too far from the rules we abide by as members of a social group (acceptable standards of conduct)
who came up with failure to function adequately and cope
rosenhan and seligman
describe failure to function adequately
when people fail to cope with the demands of everyday life, fail to meet nutrition or hygiene standards or fail to hold down a job or maintain healthy relationships.
what are the three signs that somebody is not coping
when somebody no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules (eg. personal space)
when somebody is experiencing personal distress
when somebody is going to harm themselves or others
describe deviation from ideal mental health
focuses on what ideal mental health looks like so we can tell when somebody has deviated from this
who suggested the traits of ideal mental health
jahoda
what are the traits of ideal mental health
no symptoms of distress, rational thinking, self actualisation, coping with stress, realistic view of the world, good self esteem, independent of others, successfully work and enjoy leisure time
how is antisocial personality disorder an example of deviation from social norms
they are impulsive, lack empathy, superficially charming, shallow and prone to criminal conduct. they have an absence of pro social internal standards, failing to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour
