definitions of abnormality ao3 Flashcards
how can statistical deviation be applied to real life (strength)
all patients with mental disorders will be assessed using a measurement of their symptoms as compared to social norms, useful part of clinical assessment
how is unusual characteristics being a positive thing a weakness of statistical deviation
iq scores over 130 are just as unusual as those under 70 but we do not think of people who are extra intelligent as an issue that needs to be treated. just because few people display certain behaviours that are abnormal doesn’t mean they need treatment to return within normal boundaries. means statistical deviation would never be used alone to diagnose somebody
how is labelling a weakness of statistical deviation
labelling someone may impact their happy fulfilled life. somebody with a low iq who was not distressed and capable of working may receive a label and then be treated differently by their peers. this could have a detrimental effect on their life
how is the risk of unnecessary abuse a weakness of deviation from social norms
risk manufacturing mental illness in anyone who doesn’t conform to society’s expectations. many historical examples of nonconformists being medicalised unnecessary, suck as drapetomania which was a diagnosis for black slaves who had the symptoms of running away
how is cultural relativism a weakness of deviation from social norms
based on very particular cultural contexts. cruelty to animals is considered a deviant trait associated with psychopathy yet in spain and mexico bull fighting is a common sport. since 2013, the DSM has recognised that deviation from social norms looks different in different social contexts
how is acknowledging the patients subjective perspective a strength of failure to function adequately
difficult to assess distress but the approach does acknowledge the experience of the individual
how is alternative lifestyles a weakness of failure to function adequately
some people have alternative lifestyles which mean they are deviating from social norms. those who participants in extreme sports are putting themselves in harms way and religious people could be seen as irrational. if these lifestyles are seen as failures to function and therefore abnormal we risk limiting personal freedom and discriminating against groups of people
how is subjective judgements a weakness of failure to function adequately
judgement of abnormality could be seen as subjective. to make this objective a check list is used called the global assessment of functioning scale. however when filling this out a psychiatrist is still going to be making these judgements.
what is a strength of the list of symptoms of ideal mental health?
it covers most reasons that people would require mental health help
how is culture bound a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health
they only apply to western cultures, some cultures see being independent from others as a bad thing
how is an unrealistic high standard for mental health a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health
everybody experiences times when they do not meet all of these requirements
