Definitions of abnormality, including deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, statistical infrequency 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
