Psychopathology - abnormality (1)

Question 1

what are the definitions of abnormality

(catagories)

Answer 1

• Deviation from social norms
• failure to function adequately
• statistical infrequency
• deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

what is mean by deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society

Question 3

What are the strengths for using deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 3

• Developmental norms
• protects society
• social dimensions to abnormality

Question 4

Explain how developmental norms are a strength of using deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 4

Deviation from social norms allows for developmental norm for example age it may be normal for a 1 year old to be carried everywhere by their parents but this would be considered abnormal for a 50 year old.

Question 5

Explain how social dimesion is a strength of using deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 5

deviation from social norms allows for social dimesion which welcomes the idea that social situations or interactions may cause abnormal behaviour.

Question 6

Explain how protecting society is a strength of using deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 6

deviation from social norms protects society by protecting them from the effects that an individual’s abnormal behaviour can have on others.

Question 7

What are the limitations of using deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormailty

Answer 7

• changes over time
• subjective
• cultural differences

Question 8

Explain how changing over time is a limitation of using deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 8

social norms vary tremendously from one generation to the next so therefore what is an abnormal behaviour in one time isn’t in the next.

eg. Homosexuality wasnt removed from the ICD until the 1990’s

the ICD is the International Classification of Diseases which is maintained by the world health organisation

Question 9

Explain how cultural differences is a limitation of using deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 9

social norms are different across and within cultures therefore it is difficult to establish when they are being broken. This definition is therefore culturally relative. This means that the meaning or interpretation of behaviour is specific to that culture. The interpretation may differ between cultures.

eg. Hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but in the UK it would be seen as a sign of mental abnormality.

Question 10

Explain how subjectivity is a limitation of using deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality

Answer 10

social norms tend to be based on the opinion of the ruling elites in society rather than the majority, therefore they are not real. A true definition of abnormality should be objective without subjective interpretation.

Question 11

what is meant by failure to function adequately

Answer 11

Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living

Question 12

what classification is used to determine whether someone is classed as abnormal through the definition of failure to function adequately

Answer 12

Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)
who suggested that personal dysfunction has seven features. The more a person has, the more likely they are to be classed as abnormal.

Question 13

What are the 7 features of Rosehan and Seligman’s failure to function adequately criteria

Answer 13

• personal distress
• Maladaptive behaviour
• unpredictability
• irrationality
• observer discomfort
• violation of moral standards
• unconventionality

in the exam you will be expect to know and explain 3

Question 14

Failure to function adequately

Explain what is meant by personal distress

and include an example

Answer 14

A key feature of abnormality; this includes depression and anxiety disorders
eg. not being able to hold down a job and so having a limited income.

Question 15

Failure to function adequately

Explain what is meant by maladaptive behaviour

Answer 15

Behaviour stopping an individual achieving their goals.

Question 16

Failure to fuction adequately

Explain what is meant by unpredictability

and include an example

Answer 16

Displaying unexpected behaviours characterised by loss of control.
eg. quitting a course after getting one bad mark in a test

Question 17

Failure to function adequately

Explain what is meant by irrationality

Answer 17

displaying behaviour that cannot be explained in a rational way

Question 18

Failure to function adequately

Explain what is meant by observer discomfort

and include an example

Answer 18

Displaying behaviour that causes discomfort to observers
eg. not keeping good hygiene so it is unpleasant to be around that person

Question 19

Failure to function adequately

Explain what is meant by violations of moral standards

and include an example

Answer 19

Displaying behaviour violating society’s moral standards
eg. loudly talking to oneself in the street

Question 20

failure to function adequately

Explain what is meant by unconventionality

Answer 20

Displaying unconventional behaviours

Question 21

What are the strengths of using failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 21

• personal prespective is recognised
• observable behaviour
• assesses the degree of abnormality

Question 22

Explain how personal perspective being recognised is a strength of using failure to function adaquately as a definition for abnormality

Answer 22

This means that mental disorders can be regarded from the perception of the individuals suffering from them.

Question 23

Explain how having observable behaviour is a strength of using failure to function adaquately as a definition for abnormality

Answer 23

It focuses on observable behaviour and therefore allows judgements by others as to whether individuals are functioning properly.
The presence of the checklist provides individuals with a practical checklist of their behaviour

Question 24

Explain how assessing the degree of abnormality is a strength of using failure to function adaquately as a definition for abnormality

Answer 24

The GAF is measured on a continuous scale therefore it allows people to be a little or a lot abnormal which allows a judgement on the level of wellness.

Clinicians assess how individuals cope with everyday life using the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). This rates their functioning in the areas of social, occupational and psychological.

Question 25

What are the limitations of using failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 25

• normal abnormality
• cultural differences
• abnormality does not always mean disfunction

Question 26

Explain how normal abnormalities are limitations of using failure to function adaquately as a definition for abnormality

with example

Answer 26

There are times in people’s lives when it is normal to suffer distress e.g. when a loved one dies grieving is a psychologically healthy process. The definition does not consider this.

Question 27

Explain how cultural differences are limitations of using failure to function adaquately as a definition for abnormality

Answer 27

some of the ideas are specific to western European and American cultures. This definition discriminates against cultures who make different life choices eg. travellers who may not live at a permeant address and choose not to work.

Question 28

Explain how abnormalities not always meaning disfunction is a limitation of using failure to function adaquately as a definition for abnormality

they dont always go together

Answer 28

This definition does not explain people with dangerous personality disorders, such as psychopaths, who can appear normal.