Psycholigical Abnormality

Question 1

Define Deviation from social norms

(DSN)

Answer 1

• standards of acceptable behaviour are set by social group
• behaviours can be implicit and explicit
  > laws/unwritten rules
• anything that deviates from acceptable behaviour is abnormal
• eg OCD change cutlery 🍴 fear contamination

Question 2

Give a weakness of DSN

Answer 2

P - social norms created within culture limited with cultural relativism
E - diff cultures = diff social norms
E - 👻messages from spirits schizophrenia 🇬🇧
non western seen as a gift (shaman)
L - not appropriate to use DSN outside specific culture

Question 3

Give a strength of DSN

Answer 3

P - differentiates between desirable and undesirable behaviour within a culture
E - unlike SI which suggests that if your behaviour is rare then you are abnormal even though behaviour could be seen as desirable (IQ)
L - more appropriate because allows us to understand behaviour in context
L -

Question 4

Define Failure to Function Adequately

Answer 4

• not being able to cope w demands of everyday life
• looks at behaviours that interferes w everyday life eg hygiene and nutrition 🍎 🪥
• Rosenhan and Seligman - signs include irrational maladaptive behaviour
  >dangerous distress

Question 5

Give a strength of FFA

Answer 5

P - can be used to measure for when ppl shud seek professional help
E - ‘Mind’ 48% ppl in UK will experience FFS
E - treatment and services can be targeted to those who need it
L - useful measure

Question 6

Give a weakness of FFA

Answer 6

P - easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices are abnormal
E - very hard to say when someone is FFA of when simple chosen to deviate
E - eg those who favour high risk leisure activities ⛷
L - those who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled freedom of choice may therefore be restricted 🚫

Question 7

Define Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Answer 7

• Jahoda (1956) six criteria that define mental healthiness
• failure to meet one or more of these criteria would suggest an abnormality
• autonomy = being independent
• reality = have an accurate perception of reality/world

Question 8

Give a strength of DIMH

Answer 8

P - vastly different takes a positive approach 😁
E - focuses on characteristics that make up normal behaviour that distinguish mental health from abnormality
E - more positive approach may reduce the stigma
L - more appropriate to define abnormality

Question 9

Give a weakness of DIMH

Answer 9

P - strict criteria
E - people may not be able to realistically meet all 6 at any one time
E - individual who lost a job cant cope w stressful situation classed as abnormal
L - limiting the use of DIMH

Question 10

Define Statiscal Infrequency

Answer 10

• must look at behaviours that are typical (normal) of general population
• rare is abnormal
• on a distribution curve any behaviour that it 2 or more SD from mean is statistically rare
• OCD 2% affects pop therefore abnormal

Question 11

Give a strength of SI

Answer 11

P - practical applications
E - used in real world in clinical practice and part of diagnosis
E - eg Beck’s depression inventory score 30+ = severe depression
L - important in applied psychology useful in clinical assessment

Question 12

Give a weakness of SI

Answer 12

P - doesn’t differentiate between desirable and undesirable behaviour
E - High IQ is desirable also seen as abnormal
L - this is a limitation of SI means never can be used solely to make diagnosis and treatment plan