Psychopathology - abnormality (2) Flashcards
Deviation from ideal mental health and statistical infrequency
Define what is meant by deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
It attempts to define an ideal state of mental health so that abnormality is defined by the absence of key characteristics.
An early concept of ideal mental health was devised by Jahoda.
Who came up with the characteristic for ideal mental health
Jahoda, 1958
What were Jahoda’s characteristics of ideal mental health
- Positive attitudes towards one’s self
- Self actualisation
- Autonomy
- Resisting stress
- Accurate perception of reality
- Environment mastery
Define positive attitudes towards one’s self as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
High levels of self-esteem and lack guilt with a strong sense of identity
Define self actualisation as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
Developing yourself and achieving the goals you set yourself in life
eg. Completing your exam to the best of your ability
Define autonomy as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
Autonomy and ability to act independently from others is being able to work on your own and work out problems that may arise.
eg. If you were left on your own tou would be okay and would be able to work things out for yourself.
Define resisting stress as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
Resisting stress and being able to cope in stressful situations
eg. coping with tight deadlines, celebrations and oving house
Define accurate perception of reality as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
Having a realistic view of the world and understanding how it works.
Eg. if you were to be unsuccessful at a job interview you could see that it may be that the other candidate was a better fit.
Define enviromental mastery as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
The ability to adapt to diffenent situations and act accordingly.
eg. being jovial with your friends and family but professional at work.
Define enviromental mastery as a criteria for deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
The ability to adapt to diffenent situations and act accordingly.
eg. being jovial with your friends and family but professional at work.
what are the strengths of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
- Its holisic
- consistent
- positive approach to mental health problems
Explain how it being holistic is a strengths of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
The definition considers an individual as a whole person rather than focusing on individual areas of their behaviour.
Explain how it being consistant is a strengths of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
This definition provides a consistent and standardised measurement for those looking at both positive and negative mental health
Explain how it being a positive approach to mental health is a strengths of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
It covers a broad range of criteria and focuses on wellness
what are the limitations of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
- cultural variations
- overly demanding criteria
- subjective criteria
Explain how cultural variations is a limitation of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
The criteria used to judge mental health are culturally relative and shouldn’t be used to judge people in other cultures.
E.g., autonomy is not desirable in collectivist countries.
This suggested that the definition is culturally biased towards Western cultures
Explain how having overly demanding criteria is a limitation of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
most people do not meet all the ideals e.g., experiencing personal growth all of the time.
This would suggest that most people are abnormal.
The criteria may be more relevant to ideals as opposed to actualities.
Explain how having subjective criteria is a limitation of using deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
This definition tries to treat mental health in the same way as physical health,
however, mental health is much more subjective
so it is difficult to apply to different people and to different cultures.
define what is meant by statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
Behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
What are the strengths of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
- Its objective
- No judgements are made on the behaviour
- It can be used to gain assistance
Explain how it being objective is a strength of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
Once a way of collecting the data about a behaviour has been agreed, it becomes an objective way of deciding who is abnormal.
The graphs that plot the standard deviations are based on real data and, therefore, should be unbiased
Explain how there being no judgements made on the behaviour is a strength of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
IQ scores over 130 are just as unusual as those below 70 but we wouldn’t think of super-intelligence as an undesirable characteristic that needs treatment. Just because a few people display certain behaviours does make the behaviour statistically abnormal but doesn’t mean it requires treatment to return to normal.
Explain how it can be used to gain assistance is a strength of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
we can judge whether an individual need additional support by measuring how severe their symptoms are.
What are the limitations of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
- Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal
- not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent
- doesnt take into account cultural factors
Explain how not all infrequent behaviours being abnormal is a limitation of using statistical infrequency as a defintion of abnormality
some characteristics are desirable for example having an extremely high IQ.
Explain how not all abnormal behaviours being infrequent is a limitation of using statistical infrequency as a defintion of abnormality
Depression is a not a statistically infrequent behaviour, so it would not be classed as abnormal using this definition.
Explain how not taking other cultures into account is a limitation of using statistical infrequency as a defintion of abnormality
using statistical infrequency across cultures creates problems as it ignores cultural factors