Defintions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the four definitions?
1) Deviation from social norms
2) Failure to function adequately
3) Deviation from ideal mental health
4) Statistical infrequency
AO1: Deviation from social norms
Social norms are the expected behaviours that are set by a social group. Any behaviour that deviates from acceptable behaviour is seen as abnormal as it is unexpected by other group members and causes offence to society. For example those with OCD may refuse to use cutlery at a restaurant and bring their own due to a fear of contamination which is unexpected behaviour by society and seen as abnormal.
What are the evaluations for DSN?
- PEEL
- PEEL
- Discussion
1) Cultural relativism
2) Practical applications
3) Sole explanation
AO3: DSN - Cultural relativism
A weakness of DSN as a definition of abnormality is that it has cultural relativism as social norms are created within a culture. Different cultures have different social norms and expectations of behaviour. For example in Western cultures a person receiving messages from the spirits could be seen as a symptom of SZ as it is an unexpected behaviour in society. However in a non-western culture this may been seen as a spiritual gift. Therefore it is inappropriate to use DSN as a definition of abnormality outside of western cultures.
AO3: DSN - Real life application
A strength of DSN as a definition of abnormality is that it has real life applications when diagnosing antisocial personality disorder. Mental health practitioners look at is what is seemed as acceptable in society and uses these social and cultural norms to diagnose abnormal behaviour. For example those who have truant behaviour, lack remorse and engage in illegal activity deviate from social norms and their behaviour would be unexpected within society. The behaviours are judged by practitioners whether they are displaying abnormal behaviour and therefore diagnose antisocial personality disorder. Therefore DSN is a useful definition of abnormality when distinguishing between normal and abnormal behaviour.
AO1: Failure to function adequately
Involves being unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. It looks at abnormal behaviour that interferes with everyday life e.g. not being able to maintain with basic standards of nutrition and personal hygiene. Rosenhan and Seligman state the signs of a person FFA include maladaptive behaviour, irrational behaviours, behaviour that is dangerous to themselves or others and severe personal distress. For example those with depression may be unable to keep a job, find it hard to get up in the morning, eating habits may change and they may find it difficult to maintain relationships. Therefore they have an inability to cope with everyday life.
Evaluations for failure to function adequately? (2)
1) Personal experience
2) Non-standard lifestyle choices
AO3: FFA - Personal experience
A strength of FFA as a definition of abnormality is that it takes into account an individuals experience. For example although some of the criteria are difficult to measure it takes into account a persons perception of their ability to cope with everyday life e.g. whether they feel severe personal distress. Therefore FFA captures the experience of many people who need help suggesting it’s a useful definition when defining abnormality.
AO3: FFA - Non standard lifestyle choice
A weakness of FFA as a definition of abnormality is that its easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. It can be hard to say whether a person is really failing to function adequately or simply choosing to devote from social norms. For example those who favour high risk leisure activities and take part in unusual spiritual practiced can be considered as irrational and a danger to themselves therefore abnormal. Therefore this is a limitation of FFA as a definition of abnormality as those who make unusual choice risk being labelled as abnormal and the freedom of choice is restricted.
AO1: Deviation from Ideal mental health
Jahoda says there are 6 criteria that define mental healthiness. Failure to meet one or more of these criteria suggests abnormality. The more criteria that are failed to meet the more abnormal the person is deemed. The criteria include negative self attitudes (low self esteem), problems with self actualisation (unable to reach their full potential), inability to resist stress (inability to cope), lack of autonomy (lack independence), inaccurate perception of reality and poor environmental mastery (inability to form relationships and adjust to new situations).
What are the evaluations for DMH? (3)
1) Broad criteria
2) Meeting all 6 criteria
AO3: DIMH - broad range of criteria
A strength of deviation from ideal mental health when defining abnormality is that it covers a broad range of criteria. It is argued the definition covers most if the reasons why someone would seek help from mental health services. This is unlike other definitions of abnormality such as deviation from social norms which only focus on one criteria. Therefore the vast range f factors in relation to ideal mental health make it an appropriate definition of abnormality.
AO3: All 6 criteria
However DIMH as a definition of abnormality can be seen as too strict. People may not be able to realistically meet all 6 criteria at one time. For example someone who’s just lost their job may be unable to resist stress and have negative self attitudes and would therefore be considered as abnormal by definition. However this is a rational response for many in that situation. This limits the use of DIMH as a definition of abnormality.
AO1: Statistical infrequency
This definition looks at behaviour that is typical of the population and any behaviour that is rare is seen as abnormal. On a distribution curve any behaviour that is two or more standard deviations away from the mean is statistically rare and therefore abnormal. For example 2% os the population has OCD which is statistically infrequent therefore abnormal.
What are the evaluations for SI? (2)
1) Practical applications
2) Desirable behaviour
AO3: SI - Practical applications
A strength of SI as a definition of abnormality is that it has practical applications. The principles of the definition that any behaviour that is seen as 2 or more SDs away from mean is considered abnormal is used in real life clinical practice in diagnosing and assessing severity of symptoms e.g. intellectual disability in those who have an IQ of less than 70. Therefore SI as a definition of abnormality is an important part of applied psychology as its a useful part of clinical assessment.
AO3: SI - Desirable
A limitation of SI as a definition of abnormality is that it doesn’t differentiate between desirable and undesirable behaviour. For example someone with high IQ is desirable and we wouldn’t consider them as abnormal. However high IQ is statistically rare and would be abnormal by definition even thought they wouldn’t need treatment to return back to normal. This limits SI as a definition of abnormality because although a behaviour is rare it doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be treated as a abnormality.
