Psychopathology Flashcards
Statistical Infrequency
Under this definition of abnormality, a person’s trait, thinking or behavior is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. With this definition it is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behavior needs to be before we class it as abnormal
For instance one may say that an individual who has an IQ below or above the average level of IQ in society is abnormal.
However this definition obviously has limitations, it fails to recognize the desirability of the particular behavior.
Going back to the example, someone who has an IQ
level above the normal average wouldn’t necessarily be seen as abnormal, rather on the contrary they would be highly regarded for their
intelligence.
Statistical Infrequency strength
This definition can provide an objective way, based on data, to define abnormality if an agreed cut-off point can be identified.
No value judgements are made –Homosexuality was defined as a mental disorder under early versions of the diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists, would not be seen as ‘wrong’ but merely as less frequent than heterosexuality.
Statistical Infrequency limitations
However, this definition fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behavior. Statistically speaking, many very gifted individuals could be classified as ‘abnormal’ using this definition. The use of the term ‘abnormal’ in this context would not be appropriate.
Many rare behaviors or characteristics (e.g. left handedness) have no bearing on normality or abnormality. Some characteristics are regarded as abnormal even though they are quite frequent. Depression may affect 27% of elderly people (NIMH, 2001). This would make it common but that does not mean it isn’t a problem
Deviation from Social Norms
Deviation from ideal mental health suggests that we define mental illness by looking at the absence of signs of physical health (Jahoda).
A person’s thinking or behavior is classified as abnormal if it violates the (unwritten) rules about what is expected or acceptable behavior in a particular social group. Their behavior may be incomprehensible to others or make others feel threatened or uncomfortable. Social behavior varies markedly when different cultures are compared.
Deviation from Social Norms strength
Comprehensive – Covers a broad range of criteria, most for which why someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help – Makes it a good tool for thinking about mental health.
This defintion gives a social dimension to the idea of abnormality, which offers an alternative to the ‘sick in the head’ individual.
Deviation from Social Norms negative
Social norms can vary from culture to culture. This means that what is considered normal in one culture may be considered abnormal in another. This definition of abnormality is an example of cultural relativism.
Unrealistic – Most people do not meet all the ideals because few people experience personal growth all the time – The criteria may be ideals rather than actualities.
One limitation of the deviation of social norms definition is that norms can vary over time. This means that behavior that would have been defined as abnormal in one era is no longer defined as abnormal in another. For example drink driving was once considered acceptable but is now seen as socially unacceptable whereas homosexuality has gone the other way. Until 1980 homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO) but today is considered acceptable.
Failure to Function Adequately
Failure to function adequately (FFA) refers to abnormality that prevent the person from carrying out the range of behaviors that society would expect from them, such as getting out of bed each day, holding down a job, and conducting successful relationships etc.
Rosenhan & Seligman suggested seven criteria that are typical of FFA. These include personal distress (e.g. anxiety or depression), unpredictably (displaying unexpected behaviors and loss of control) and irrationality among others. The more features of personal dysfunction a person has the more they are considered abnormal.
To assess how well individuals cope with everyday life, clinician use the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), which rates their level of social, occupational and psychological functioning.
Failure to Function Adequately strengths
The definition provides a practical checklist of seven criteria individuals can use to check their level of abnormality.
It matches the sufferers’ perceptions. As most people seeking clinical help believe that they are suffering from psychological problems that interfere with the ability to function properly, it supports the definition.
Failure to Function Adequately weakness
FFA might not be linked to abnormality but to other factors. Failure to keep a job may be due to the economic situation not to psychopathology.
Cultural relativism is one limitation; what may be seen as functioning adequately in one culture may not be adequate in another. This is likely to result in different diagnoses in different cultures.
FFA is context dependent; not eating can be seen as failing to function adequately but prisoners on hunger strikes making a protest can be seen in a different light.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
Jahoda suggested six criteria necessary for ideal mental health. An absence of any of these characteristics indicate individuals as being abnormal, in other words displaying deviation from ideal mental health.
Resistance to stress: Having effective coping strategies and being able to cope with everyday anxiety provoking situations.
Growth, development or self-actualisation: Experiencing personal growth and becoming everything one is capable of becoming.
High self-esteem and a strong sense of identity: Having self-respect and a positive self- concept.
Autonomy: Being independent, self-reliant and being able to make personal decisions. Accurate perception of reality: Having an objective and realistic view of the world.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Limitation
Difficulty of meeting all criteria, very few people would be able to do so and this suggests that very few people are psychologically healthy.
Cultural relativism: hese ideas are culture-bound, based on a Western idea of ideal mental health, and should not be used to judge other cultures.
The Biological Approach to OCD
