Evaluating Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What are the 5 limitations for deviation of social norms?

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 1

Subjective.

Change over time.

Human rights abuse.

Situational vs Developmental norms.

Cultural Relativism.

Question 2

What are the 3 strengths for deviation for social norms?

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 2

Helps People.

Distinguishes between normal/ abnormal.

Protects Society.

Question 3

Outline ‘subjective’ as a limitation for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 3

Norms are outlined by society and are often based on the opinions of the elite.

Question 4

Outline ‘change over time’ as a limitation for deviation of social norms. Give an example.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 4

Norms defined by society are often related to moral standards that vary over time as social attitudes change.

E.g. women wearing trousers or homosexuality.

Question 5

Outline ‘human rights abuse’ as a limitation for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 5

Szasz (1962), stated that ‘mental illness’ is a form of social control, used to label those who don’t conform.

As a result they are discriminated against.

Question 6

Outline ‘situational vs developmental norms’ as a limitation for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 6

Abnormality may be supported by valid and necessary surrounding contexts.

Abnormality may be supported by age or maturity, but also by disability.

Question 7

Outline ‘cultural relativism’ as a limitation for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 7

In order to fully understand a behaviour it must be viewed in the context of the culture that it comes from.

Question 8

Outline ‘helps people’ as a strength for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 8

That’s society gives itself the right to intervene in abnormal people’s lives can be beneficial, as such individuals that need it may not be able to get it themselves.

Question 9

Outline ‘distinguishes between normal/abnormal’ as a strength for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 9

Gives us a clear indication of what is and isn’t normal.

Question 10

Outline ‘protects society’ as a strength for deviation of social norms.

(Deviation from social norms)

Answer 10

Seeks to protect society from effects an individual’s behaviour can have on others.

Question 11

What are the 3 limitations of failure to function adequately?

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 11

Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction.

Subjective nature of Rosenhan and Seligman’s Components.

Awareness.

Question 12

Outline ‘abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction’ as a limitation for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 12

E.g. People with an antisocial personality (psychopaths) commit murders and are able to lead normal lives.

Question 13

Outline ‘subjective nature of Rosenhan and Seligman’s Components’ as a limitation for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 13

How do you define and measure personal distress?

People differ in their subjective experience.

What would cause someone distress, may not affect another in the same way (social and cultural beliefs).

Question 14

Outline ‘awareness’ as a limitation for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 14

Not all people who experience mental health disorders are aware of their failure to function adequately.

Question 15

What are the 4 limitations for deviation from the idea mental health?

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 15

Over-demanding criteria.

Subjective criteria.

Changes over time.

Collectivist societies.

Question 16

Outline ‘over-demanding criteria’ as a limitation for deviation from the idea mental health.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 16

Most people don’t meet all those ideals.

E.g. self-actualisation is only achieved by very few people.

Question 17

Outline ‘subjective criteria’ as a limitation for deviation from the idea mental health.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 17

Many of the concepts are not clearly defined.

Measured mental health is different from physical health, as it relies on self-report from patient. Reliable?

Question 18

Outline ‘changes over time’ as a limitation for deviation from the idea mental health. Give an example.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 18

The way that mental health is viewed changes over time.

E.g. Seeing delusions in the 13th century would equate to a religious fervour; but is now seen as schizophrenia.

Question 19

Outline ‘collectivist societies’ as a limitation for deviation from the idea mental health.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 19

Would reject the importance of autonomy as a criterion for mental health.

Question 20

Outline ‘matches sufferers’ perceptions’ as a strength for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 20

Most people seeking clinical help believe that they are suffering from psychological problems.

Question 21

Outline ‘observable behaviour’ as a strength for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 21

It allows judgement by others of whether individuals are functioning properly, as it focuses on observable behaviours.

Question 22

Outline ‘acts as a checklist’ as a strength for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 22

The definition provides a checklist individuals can use to assess their level of abnormality.

Question 23

Outline ‘assesses the degrees of abnormality’ as a strength for failure to function adequately.

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 23

GAF is scored on continuous scale, it allows clinicians to see the degree to which individuals are abnormal.

Question 24

What are the 4 strengths for failure to function adequately?

(Failure to function adequately)

Answer 24

Matches sufferers’ perceptions.

Observable behaviour.

Acts as a checklist.

Assesses the degrees of abnormality.

Question 25

What are the 3 strengths for deviation from ideal mental health?

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 25

Positivity.

Goal setting.

Holistic.

Question 26

Outline ‘positivity’ as a strength for deviation from ideal mental health.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 26

Emphasises positive achievements rather than failures and distress.

Stresses a positive approach to mental health problems.

Question 27

Outline ‘goal setting’ as a strength for deviation from ideal mental health.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 27

Permits identification of exactly what is needed to achieve normality, allowing for the creation of personal goals to work toward and achieve.

Question 28

Outline ‘holistic’ as a strength for deviation from ideal mental health.

(Deviation from ideal mental health)

Answer 28

Considers an individual as a whole person rather than focuses on individual areas of behaviour.

Question 29

What are the 4 strengths for statistical infrequency?

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 29

Objective.

Overall view.

No value judgements.

Based on real data.

Question 30

What are the 3 weaknesses for statistical infrequency?

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 30

Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal.

Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent.

Cultural factors.

Question 31

Outline ‘objective’ as a strength for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 31

Once data has been collected about a behaviour/characteristic, and a ‘cut-off point’ has been agreed, it becomes an objective way of deciding who is abnormal.

Question 32

Outline ‘overall view’ as a strength for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 32

Gives an overview of what behaviours and characteristics are infrequent within a given population.

Question 33

Outline ‘no value judgements’ as a strength for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 33

E.g. homosexuality was defined a mental health disorder under early versions of diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists.

In present day, this would not be seen as ‘wrong’ or ‘unacceptable’, but merely as less frequent as heterosexuality.

Question 34

Outline ‘based on real data’ as a strength for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 34

Relies on real, unbiased data.

Question 35

Outline ‘not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent’ as a limitation for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 35

Some statistically frequent behaviour ‘normal’ behaviours are actually abnormal.

About 10% of people will be chronically depressed at some point in their lives.

This suggests that depression is so common and therefore not abnormal using this definition.

Question 35

Outline ‘not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal’ as a limitation for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 35

Some rare behaviours and characteristics are desirable rather than undesirable.

E.g. being highly intelligent (high IQ).

Question 36

Outline ‘cultural factors’ as a limitation for statistical infrequency.

(Statistical infrequency)

Answer 36

What is statistically abnormal in one culture may not be in another.

This can lead to the problem of judging people of one culture by the statistical norms of another.