psychopathology - abnormality Flashcards
define statistical infrequency
when an individual has a less common characteristics than most the population.
The number of times it is observed
example of statistical infrequency
IQ and intellectual disability disorder
average IQ is 100
Only 2% have a score below 70- ‘abnormal’ and are diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder (IDD),
one strength of statistical infrequency
Real world application
clinical practice
For example An example of statistical infrequency used in an assessment tool is the is the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), where a score of 30+ indicates severe depression.
useful in diagnostic and assessment processes.
one limitation of statistical infrequency
unusual characteristics can also be positive
does not necessarily mean we would call them abnormal.
IQ scores above 130 are just as unusual as those below 70, but not regarded as undesirable or needing treatment.
define deviation from social norms
behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in society.
abnormality is based on social context.
Societies and social groups make collective judgements about ‘correct’ behaviours in particular circumstances.
example for deviation from social norms
antisocial personality disorder.
symptom: failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’.
eg: psychopath
one strength of deviation from social norms
real-world application.
diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder because this requires failure to conform to ethical standards.
diagnosing schizotypal personality disorder which involves ‘strange’ beliefs and behaviour
one limitation of deviation from social norms
situationally and culturally relative.
one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal
For example, hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be seen as a sign of abnormality in the UK.
define Failure to function adequately.
Someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day to day living.
example of Failure to function adequately.
bad hygiene and not able to hold down a job or maintain relationships.
intellectual disability disorder
who creates signs to determine wether someone is coping or not
Rosenhan and Seligman
what where 3 of Rosenhan and Seligman’s statements.
no longer conforms to interpersonal rules
experiences severe personal distress.
behaves in a way that is irrational or dangerous.
one strength of failure to function adequelty
threshold for professional help.
25% of us experience symptoms of mental disorder to some degree (Mind).
Most of the time we press on or we get help.
failure to function criterion provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need them most.
one limitation of failure to function adequelty
discrimination
hard to distinguish between failure to function and a conscious decision to deviate from social norms.
not having a job or permanent address might seem like failing to function or someone has just chosen to live ‘off grid.’
define Deviation from ideal mental health.
when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health.
