Option - Abnormal 5.1 - Normality and Abnormality

Question 1

Defining normality

Answer 1

Mental health model of normality (Jahoda, 1958)

Question 2

Mental health model of normality (Jahoda, 1958)

Answer 2

Deviation from these criteria = abnormal

• absence of mental illness
• realistic self-perception and contact with reality
• a strong sense of identity and positive self-esteem
• autonomy and independence
• ability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships (e.g. capacity to love)
• ability to cope with stressful situations
• capacity for personal growth and self-actualization

Question 3

Evaluation of Jahoda, 1958

Answer 3

• These criteria are vague, and are largely value judgements. - This means that basically anyone on a bad day would not fulfill the criteria, but they might still not be mentally ill.
  Example criterion: “strong sense of identity and positive self-esteem” (anyone going through puberty would have issues with this, extremely situational)
• Furthermore, Jahoda’s criteria might also be biased towards western cultural norms. According to Szasz (1962) “psychological normality and abnormality are culturally defined concepts, which are not based on objective criteria”
• Who makes the judgements for Jahoda’s model? Taylor and Brown (1988) argue that a psychologically healthy person might not have a close “contact with reality” as they tend to rate themselves more positively.
  In conclusion, Jahoda’s model represents an idealised view of mental health which is culturally biased.

Question 4

Defining abnormality

Answer 4

The mental illness criterion (the medical model)

Question 5

The mental illness criterion (the medical model)

Answer 5

• sees psychological disorders as psychopathy - illness of the mind
• linked to psychiatry, a branch of medicine. Psychological disorders are illnesses just as physiological
• diagnosis is based on the clinician’s observations, patient’s self-reports, clinical interview,, diagnostic manuals. Classifies symptoms of specific disorders to help doctors diagnose

Question 6

Evaluation of the mental illness criterion (the medical model)

Answer 6

• takes away blame from the mentally ill, but stigmatizes them.
• some disorders (e.g. Alzheimer) can be linked to physiological origins (brain), most cannot
• Szarz (1962), not possible to identify biological correlates with mental illness. Psychological disorders should be viewed as “problems of living”

Question 7

Abnormality as a statistical deviation from the norm

Answer 7

Whatever is not the norm is abnormal
68% of people score ±15 points of an IQ of 100
96% of people score ±30 points of and IQ of 100
What is statistically normal may be undesirable and what is statistically abnormal may be desirable
-High intelligence (IQ 150) is desirable yet abnormal
-Obesity is increasingly normal yet undesirable
Is always related to culture

Question 8

Abnormality as deviation from social norms

Answer 8

Deviant social behavior = behavior considered as undesirable or anti-social by the majority. Abnormal individuals = people that execute similar behavior
Social, cultural and historical factors play a role in what is considered deviant social behavior - homosexuality was previously perceived as a mental illness

Question 9

Evaluation of abnormality as deviation from social norms

Answer 9

Not stable - related to socially based definitions that change over time and space
Could lead to discrimination of minorities
Is connected to culture and cannot be seen as a global mental illness