Lecture I Flashcards
Definition of abnormality
No consensus definitions, but some agreed upon indicators. Agreement on what conditions are considered abnormal
Indicators of Abnormality (included but questionable)
Suffering, maladaptiveness, statistical deviancy, violation of standards of society, social discomfort, irrationality, dangerousness. **No one element is sufficient to define or determine
DSM IV Definition of mental disorder
(1) Clinically significant behavior or psychological syndrome or pattern
(2) Distress or disability
(3) Not just predicable response to specific event
(4) Reflects behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunction
DSM V Definition of mental disorder
(1) Syndrome involves clinically significant disturbance in behavior, emotion regulation, cognitive function
(2) Reflects behavioral, psychological, or developmental dysfunction necessary for mental function
(3) Associated with disability or distress
(4) Predictable responses are excluded
(5) Dysfunctional pattern does not stem from social deviance or conflicts w society as a whole
Differences between DSM 4 and 5 definition of mental disorder
DSM 5 emphasizes cognitive functioning, developmental elements, makes sure not to include conflicts w society as whole
Why classify mental disorders?
- More structure
- Informs interventions
- Social/political implications (can fight for so-and-so cause)
Disadvantages of classification
- Loss of information on individual
- Stigma and stereotypes
- Labeling may neg affect self-concept
Cultural influences
Cross-culture differences are significant and can shape how patient presents. Cultures have specific disorders. Abnormality is what dev from norms of the spec society
Social Constructivist Perspective
Humans have sometimes very difficult behavioral and emotional difficulties but they are not evidence of categories. Categories stem from the human need to organize into discrete groups
