defintions of abnormality

Question 1

what is statistical infrequency

Answer 1

• implies a disorder is abnormal if its statistically infrequent
• can be measured on a normal-distribution curve

Question 2

evaluate statistical infrequency

Answer 2

weakness = some statistically rates are desirable e.g. high IQ

strength = useful for clinical diagnosis

Question 3

what is failure to function adequately

Answer 3

• deemed abnormal when can no longer cope with everyday tasks and demands
• e.g. unable to keep up with personal hygiene
• Rosenhan and Seligman = experiences severe distress, behaviour becomes irrational and dangerous

Question 4

evaluate failure to function adequately

Answer 4

strength = acknowledges patients experience as important

weakness = subjective nature, hard to qualify the extent of behaviour

Question 5

what is deviation from social norms

Answer 5

• suggests behaviour is abnormal if it doesn’t conform to societal norms

Question 6

evaluate deviation from social norms

Answer 6

weakness = varies between cultures, leads to discrimination, cultural relativism

weakness = social norms are normally unspoken and so are subjective

weakness = may lead to systematic human rights abuses

Question 7

what is deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 7

• proposed by Jahoda: accurate perception of ourselves, self-actualisation, environmental mastery, reality centred

Question 8

evaluate deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 8

weakness = very demanding criteria that’s unrealistic + covers a wide range

weakness = suffers from cultural relativism

strength = very comprehensive, provides a sort of checklist that covers important qualities to assess mental health