Definitions of abnormality:deviation from social norms and deviation from ideal mental health. Flashcards
What is Statistical infrequency in terms of abnormality
Someone is mentally abnormal if their mental condition is very rare in the population
-The rarity is judged objectively using statistics
What is the normal distribution curve (3)
-It shows the population’s average spread of specific characteristics
- The mean mode median model scores are all at the highest point, the most common behaviour.
-At each end there are fewer people with those behaviours
What is a positive evaluation of using statistical frequency to define abnormality(3) objectivity
-The individuals who are assessed as being abnormal have been evaluated objectively
-which is better than other definitions that depend on subjective opinions of a clinician
-For example: deciding if the client is coping or not is a vague concept and two observers may disagree
What is one criticism of using statistical infrequency (3) Cut off point
-The psychological community decides the cut off point for what is statistically rare enough to be defined as abnormal
-This is a subjective decision with real implications.
-For example, defining intellectual disability as 70 IQ and under means people with an IQ just over 70 may be denied support
Another criticism of statistical infrequency (not all rare traits are negative)
The statitsical infrequency definition also includes those people at the higher end of intelligence. IQs of 130 are just as statistcally rare as IQs of 70.
-A good definition of abnormality should not identify people with hihg intelligence as having a psychopathology and in need of additional support
Define failure to function adequately (FFA)
The individual is defined as abnormal if they cannot cope in their daily lives, Including their ability to interact with the world and meet their challenges
What are 5 of Rosenham and Seligman’s features of failure to function
Maladaptive behaviour: Individuals behave in ways that go against their long term interests
Personal anguish: The individual suffers from anxiety and distress
Observer discomfort: the individual’s behaviour causes distress to those around them
Irrationality: It is difficult to understand the motivation behind the individuals
Unconventionality: Behaviour doesnt match what is typically accepted by sosciety
What is one criticism of the failure to fucntion adequately definition of abnormailty
Decisions about whether someone is coping is subjective and based on the clinicians opinion.
-This judgement may be biased, meaning that two observers (clinicians) might not agree on whether someone is managing
What is a second criticism of the FFA
It only includes people who cannot cope; psychopaths can often function in society in ways that benefit themselves personally.
-Having lower empathy can lead to success in business and politics.
-However, while they feel no distress themselves psychopathy often has negative implications for the people around them
A final consequence is
that not all maladapative behaviours indicate mental illness.Taking part in extreme sports eating unhealthy foods and drinking alcohol all risk the individuals health so they are arguably maladaptive. However most people would disagree that these behaviours indicate mental illness
What is one positive aspect of the FFA
It respects the individual and their own experiences. Which is something that other definitions such as statistical infrequency and deviation from social norms cannot do as these definitions of abniormality are based on what is normal in the rest of the population
Define deviation from social norms
A social norm is an unwritten expectation of behaviour that can vary from culture to culture and change over time.
Additionally what is acceptable in one context may not be acceptable in another and people who deviate from these societal expectations may be seen as anbnormal or social deviants
Give examples of norms that vary between cultures
Acceptance of homosexuality, Face and hair covering, Level of modesty and PDA/Emotion
What is one posotive evaluation of defining abnormality according to social norms
It does not impose a western view of abnormality on other non western cultures. For this reason, it is argued diagnosing abnormality according to social norms is not ethmocentric; it respects the cultural differences between societies
What is one criticism of deviation from social norms
It can be inappropiate to define people who move to a new culture as abnormal according to the new cultural norms
People from Afro-Caribbean background living in the UK are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than people living in the UK or people from Afro-Caribbean nations living in Afro caribbean nations
This is due to category failure;a western definition of mental illness is applied to individuals not acting according to western cultural norms. In Afro-Caribbean cultures, hallucinations and conversations with angels may be considered part of a typical religous experinece, so a doctor in the west indies would be less likely to diagnose schizophrenia based on these symptoms than a doctor in the UK
Another criticism of using social norms ot define abnorlaity
That it can be seen as punishing people who are trying to express their individuality and repressing people who do not conform to the repressive norms of their culture.For example the World Health Organisation declassified homosexuality as a mental ilness in 1992 and transgender health issues in 2019; these recent changes may have followed social norms/social accpetance
Define Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH)
A humanistic perspective, focusing on ways to improve and become a better person rather than dysfunction or deficit.
What are the 6 features of ideal mental health in DIMH
Environmental mastery: The ability to adapt and thrive in new situations
Autonomy: The ability to act independently and trust in one’s own abilities
Resistance to stress: the internal strength to cope with anxiety caused by daily life
Self actualisation:The ability to reach one’s potential through personal growth
Positive attitude towards oneself: Characterised by high self esteem and self respect
Accurate perception of reality: The ability to see the world as it is without being distorted by personal biases
