Normality vs Abnormality

Question 1

Approaches to Describing Normality

Answer 1

• Socio-cultural Approach
• Functional Approach
• Historical Approach
• Medical Approach
• Statistical Approach
• Situational Approach

Question 2

Socio-cultural Approach

Answer 2

Thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are considered acceptable in a particular society.\

Question 3

Functional Approach

Answer 3

Thoughts, feelings and behaviours are viewed as normal, so long as they don’t interfere with individuals living independently.

Question 4

Historical Approach

Answer 4

The thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are considered acceptable depends on the period of time in which the judgement is being made.

Question 5

Medical Approach

Answer 5

Thoughts, feelings and behaviours may be considered abnormal if they have an underlying biological cause and can be diagnosed and treated.

Question 6

Statistical Approach

Answer 6

Thoughts. feelings and behaviours can be considered normal if they are shared by a large majority of people and abnormal if they only occur in a small minority of people.

Question 7

Situational Approach

Answer 7

Particular thoughts, feelings and emotions can be appropriate in some contexts and inappropriate in others.

Question 8

Typical Behaviour

Answer 8

Describes the usual actions of an individual.

Question 9

Atypical Behaviour

Answer 9

Refers to actions that are out of character for an individual.

May be a sign of mental health issues if they are:

• persistent
• evident across different situations in everyday life
• maladaptive

Question 10

Adaptive Behaviours

Answer 10

Enable individuals to adjust to their behaviours appropriately and effectively.

Question 11

Maladaptive Behaviours

Answer 11

Interfere with the ability to adjust to the environment appropriately and effectively.

Question 12

Mental Health

Answer 12

A state of health and wellbeing in which an individual realises his or her abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to contribute to his or her community.

Question 13

Mental Health Problems

Answer 13

Most often occur as a result of a life stressor, and are usually resolved with time or when the stressor passes.

Question 14

Mental Disorders

Answer 14

Involve a combination of thoughts, feelings and behaviours which impair the ability to function effectively in everyday life.

Question 15

Characteristics of a Mental Disorder (A3DNC)

Answer 15

The following characteristics must be present in order for a doctor or psychologist to make a diagnosis of a mental disorder:

• It occurs within the individual and results from dysfunction within the individual
• There is a clinically diagnosable dysfunction in thoughts, feelings and/or behaviour
• It causes significant personal distress or disability in functioning in everyday life
• Actions and reactions are atypical of the person and inappropriate within their culture
• It is not the result of personal conflict with society

Question 16

Biophysical Model of Mental Health

Answer 16

Proposes that mental health and mental illness are due t the interactions between and influences of various biological, psychological and social factors.

Improvements in wellbeing require that all three domains are addressed.

Question 17

The 4P Factor Model

Answer 17

Proposes that the occurrence or re-occurrence of a mental disorder is influenced by four kinds of factors:

• Predisposing risk factors
• Precipitating risk factors
• Perpetuating risk factors
• Protective factors

Question 18

Predisposing Risk Factors

Answer 18

Increase susceptibility to a mental disorder.

Question 19

Precipitating Risk Factors

Answer 19

Increase susceptibility and contribute to the onset of a mental disorder.

Question 20

Perpetuating Risk Factors

Answer 20

Maintain and prevent recovery from a mental disorder.

Question 21

Protective Factors

Answer 21

Prevent occurrence and re-occurrence of a mental disorder.