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)
What does ‘deviation from social norms’ mean??
When an individual’s behaviour differs from what is expected in a society.
What’s an example of a disorder that is acknowledged because the person deviates from social norms??
Antisocial Personality Disorder (typically impulsive, aggressive & indecisive which aren’t usually socially normal)
What are the 2 AO3 points for ‘Deviation from social norms’??
- Useful for treatment
- Culture bias
Why is deviation from social norms useful for treatment?? (AO3)
When applied judiciously, it can be used to treat/support someone who may need it.
Can help with antisocial personality disorder which is defined as failure to conform to culturally acceptable, ethical behaviour!
Why does deviation from social norms have culture bias??
Social norms vary between generations and cultures!
The researcher may diagnose someone based on deviation from their own social norms rather than the person they’re diagnosing.
Who identified some signs that can be use to assess if som)eone isn’t functioning adequately in everyday life??
Rosenhan & Seligman
What were the signs that Rosenhan & Seligman identified to assess if someone isn’t coping in everyday life??
- Unpredictability
- Maladaptive behaviours (going against accepted standards)
- Personal distress
- Irrational (extreme emotional responses)
- Observed discomfort (causing someone to feel uncomfortable)
What’s an example of a disorder that can be diagnosed using ‘Failure to function adequately’??
Intellectual disability disorder
(Before diagnosing on the basis that they have abnormally low IQ, it would be investigated if they’re functioning adequately)
What are the 3 evaluation points for ‘Failure to function adequately’??
- Considers context
- 1 person makes the judgement
- Culture bias (each culture has different standard of living)
How does ‘Failure to function adequately’ consider context?? (AO3)
Includes the subjective experience of the individual and acknowledges the importance of this experience.
Why is one person making the judgement a weakness for ‘Failure to function adequately’?? (AO3)
Even if using as objective judgement as possible, someone has to make the diagnosis (e.g. psychiatrist) so it’s somewhat subjective.
Why is ‘Deviation from mental health’ a definition of abnormality??
Once we have an idea of how we should be psychologically healthy, we can begin to identify who deviates from this ideal!
Who suggested the criteria for good mental health and when??
Jahoda (1958)
What was the suggested criteria for good mental health??
- High self-esteem
- Can self-actualise
- Resistant to stress
- Realistic view of the world
- Rational with accurate view of ourselves
- Independent & self-regulating
