Psychopathology: Abnormality Flashcards
What are the 4 psychological definitions of abnormality??
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency??
Mathematical method for defining abnormality. States that abnormalities are low percentages of the population (statistically rare)
What does statistical infrequency not work for??
Widespread disorders
What type of graph can be used to represent statistical infrequency??
Distribution
(Curve moves to the right for positive distribution & opposite for negative)
What are 3 AO3 points for statistical infrequency??
Any 3 of these:
- Objective, not biased
- Lacks context
- Waste of resources
- Real-life application
Why is statistical infrequency objective & not biased?? (AO3)
It relies on quantitative data
Why does statistical infrequency lack context?? (AO3)
No benefit to someone as being labelled as abnormal if they’re living a happy, fulfilled life.
Labelling can be harmful and create a stigma against them in society
Why could statistical infrequency be seen as a waste of resources?? (AO3)
Someone could be given a test for a diagnosis because they have been labelled as abnormal even though not everyone outside of average is abnormal and therefore in-need of diagnosing!
What is the real-life application of statistical infrequency?? (AO3)
Can be used in medical diagnosis for seeing what is ‘normal’ and seeing the difference!
What type of bias does statistical infrequency have and why??
Culture bias!
What’s considered statistically normal varies from culture to culture. Most behavioural research is conducted in western cultures so people outside of these cultures could be misdiagnosed
(e.g. a behaviour in a non-western culture that is common could be seen as abnormal in a western culture)
