Definitions of abnormality part one

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

• It is a definition of abnormality
• According to this definition, a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon, or not seen very often in society.

Question 2

Give an example of statistical infrequency

Answer 2

• If a random sample of people took an IQ test, those whose IQ fell below or above the average would be viewed as abnormal.

Question 3

What does the term deviation from social norms refer to?

Answer 3

• It is a definition of abnormality where behaviour is seen as abnormal if it does not align with unwritten rules (social norms) about what is acceptable in a particular society

Question 4

Give an example of deviation from social norms

Answer 4

For example standing directly next to a stranger in a queue

Question 5

What does DSM stand for?

Answer 5

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

Question 6

What is DSM?

Answer 6

A list of mental disorders that are used to diagnose mental disorders. For each disorder, a list of clinical characteristics are given i.e symptoms that you should be looking for

Question 7

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 7

The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates

Question 8

Give an example of cultural relativism?

Answer 8

• A recent study of greyhound bus trips found that the greatest unspoken rule of bus-taking was if there are other seats to spare, one should never sit next to another person.
• However, in South Africa, it is regarded as polite to sit next to a
  person if they are on an empty bus or movie theatre.

Question 9

List variations of social norms?

Answer 9

• Aged based
• Gender based
• Culture based