Psychopathology 1: Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
-Deviation from social norms
-Failure to function adequately
-Statistical infrequency
-Deviation from ideal mental health
What does the definition: deviation from social norms say?
Behaviour that deviates from these norms is abnormal and abnormal behaviour whatever violates social norms
What does the definition: deviation from social norms allow?
A distinction between desirable and undesirable behaviours
What are people who are behaving “undesirable” referred to as?
Social deviants
What are the 4 evaluations of Deviation from Social Norms?
😞Ignores the role of context
😞Ignores that social norms change over time
😞This definition is culturally relative
😞Eccentric behaviours are not always abnormal
What does the definition: failure to function adequately perceive individuals as?
Abnormal when their behaviour suggest that they cannot cope with everyday life
What does the definition: failure to function adequately focus on?
The everyday behaviour of the individual
When might we argue someone is failing to function adequately?
When they can’t maintain this normal pattern of behaviour
Which two researchers identified characteristics of abnormal behaviour related to: failure to function adequately?
Rosenhan and Seligman
What 4 characteristics were identified as abnormal behaviour relating to failure to function adequately?
If a person is:
-Unpredictable/uncontrollable
-Irrational/hard to understand
-Maladaptiveness- behaviour interferes with ability to keep routine
-Observer discomfort
What are the 4 evaluations of Failure to function adequately?
😞Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction (Harold Shipman)
😞Ignores the role of context (grievance)
😞Culturally relative
😞Many behaviours, e.g. smoking are maladaptive but not abnormality
Who devised the concept of ideal mental health?
Marie Jahoda (1958)
How many characteristics did Marie Jahoda identify of ideal mental health?
Six
What are Marie Jahodas six characteristics of ideal mental health?
-Self-actualisation
-Stress (resist)
-Identity
-Autonomy (function independently)
-Accurate perception of reality
-Mastery of the environment
What is a sentence we use to remember Marie Jahodas characteristics?
Some Say I Am Abnormal Miss
What did Marie Jahoda decide that absence of any of her characteristics would indicate?
That the individual is abnormal and deviates from ideal mental health
What are the 4 evaluations of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health?
😞Over demanding criteria
😞Ignores that ideal mental health changes over time
😞Culturally relative
😍Implications for diagnosis/treatment
What question does the definition: Statistical deviation ask?
How unusual is the behaviour being displayed
How do we see a statistical deviant?
Through a normal distribution we identify those who are far from the mean
What is the obvious issue with statistical deviation?
It doesn’t take into account what characteristics are desirable (High IQ)
In statistical terms why would fat, heavy, or tall people be classed as abnormal?
Because their behaviour has moved away from the norm
What are the 4 evaluations of statistical deviation?
😍There are real life applications
😞Unusual characteristics can be positive
😞Not everyone unusual, benefits from a label
😞Issue of who decides where the cut-off point is when identifying statistical abnormality
