Outline and evaluate two or more definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
A01- Deviation from social norms
Definition: Deviation which is acceptable in a certain society- This is seen when a person is seemed to be abnormal because of their way of thinking or how they behave in society which is different to the normal.
A01- Failure to function adequately
This type of abnormality is when someone is unable to cope with everyday life and normal tasks to complete independently. For someone to be classed as abnormal this may cause distress and suffering
A01- Statistical infrequency
This is seen as abnormal behaviour is not common in society. Abnormality is determined by looking at a distribution of different behaviours in society
A01- Deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda has a different perspective of abnormality as she thinks abnormality is the absence of a particular (ideal) characteristics.
This is the same approach used in the medical profession as for measures for physical health having to check blood pressure within the normal range.
A01- Deviation from social norms (Example)
An example of this type of social norm may be if you saw a person walking around the public not wearing clothes and you immediately presume they were abnormal. Although, this behaviour in another country such as remote Africa, this is considered as normal behaviour to the tribes culture.
A01- Failure to function adequately (Example)
An example of this may be is someone is suffering and struggles to get out of bed and to get on with everyday tasks such as going to work/school.
A01- Statistical frequency (Example)
An example of this is looking a graph, the average IQ is approximately 100 and 65% of the population. However, a small percentage of around 5% have a IQ below 70 or above 130, and these group of people would be classed as abnormal.
A01- Deviation from ideal mental health (Example)
An example of this is if someone is suffering from depression, they have a negative view of themselves and would be classed as abnormal.
A03- Deviation social norms 1: (weakness)
One of the issues with deviation from social norms is the idea of cultural relativism. They can sometimes be different as what is considered as normal in one culture but may be seen as abnormal in another
A03- Deviation social norms 1: (weakness Example)
An example of this is that homosexuality is seen as illegal in approximately 75 countries in the world and therefore it is seen as abnormal. However, in the rest of the countries it is seen as normal.
A03- Deviation social norms 2: (weakness)
social norms change over time and the issue can depend in certain times.
A03- Deviation social norms 2: (weakness Example)
An example of this is that homosexuality was seen as a mental illness in the uk until 1973 but now it is considered as a normal behaviour. This means that the deviation from the social norms may have resulted in violations of human rights.
A03- Failure to function Adequately (Weakness)
One of the weakness of the failure to function adequately is individual differences. An example of this is someone with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) which may prevent them from functioning adequately which stops them going to work or attending on time.
A03- Failure to function Adequately (Strength)
One strength of the failure to function adequately is that it considers the thoughts and feelings of the person experiencing the issue. This means they don’t presume or make a judgement that someone has a behavioural problem.
A03- Evaluation of statistical infrequency (weakness)
An issue with the statistical infrequency of abnormality is that labelling an individual can be wrong. For example, for someone to have a low IQ they can still live happily with no distress. Being labelled for having an low IQ could lead for someone to have a poor self-image.
