Psychopathology- Abnormality Definitions

Question 1

Definition of social norms?

Answer 1

the implicit beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that are considered acceptable in a particular social group or culture.

Question 2

Why are norms important?

Answer 2

they provide us with an expected idea of how to behave and “fit in” within society and assisting in our relations with others.

Question 3

Deviation of social norms definition of abnormality?

Answer 3

the idea that any behaviour that deviates from a social norm can be classed as abnormal. very cultural-dependent

Question 4

Strengths of deviation from social norms definition?

Answer 4

Practical Applications- any behaviour that is considered inappropriate can be reduced via social norms.

Intuitively Appealing- shows clarity on what behaviours are considered desirable or undesirable. gives internal validity as it makes logical sense.

Flexibility- ensures definition is adaptable and considerate of different scenarios.

Question 5

Weakness of deviation from social norms definition?

Answer 5

Lack of temporal validity- consistent validity of a theory over time, this abnormality lacks this kind of validity, it is unprecedented and inconsistent. social norms are constantly changing unreliable and invalid definition.

Culturally relative- difficult to have universal standards for social norms, social norms only apply to the culture that it was created in.

Ethical differences- there are sections of society where behaviour that is seen as normal but not within culture as a whole. lead to a lack of understanding from both minority and majority, accounted for undesirable behaviours such as stereotyping, prejudice and discriminatory behaviour.

Question 6

Failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 6

an individual can be considered abnormal when they are unable to cope with everyday life

Question 7

Failure to function 7 criteria by Rosenhan & Seligman (1989)

Answer 7

1. personal distress (e.g anxiety, depression)
2. unpredictability (displaying unexpected behaviours and loss of control)
3. irrationality (illogical behaviour)
4. maladaptive behaviour (inability to adjust to new/ different circumstances)
5. observer discomfort (others uncomfortable seeing your behaviour)
6. violation of moral standards (doing something that is considered wrong)
7. unconventionality (behaving in a way different from others)

Question 8

Global assessment of functioning scale:

Answer 8

rates their social, occupational and psychological functioning and is considerate of the 7 criteria outlined by Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 9

Strengths of failure to function adequately definition of abnormality:

Answer 9

Considerate- how individual are managing in everyday life from their perspective
Measurable- can measure extent of the failure to function, can be carried out in an objective, reliable and valid way
Practical Applications- failure to function if we observe it, we can intervene and help also

Question 10

Weaknesses of failure to function adequately of abnormality:

Answer 10

Cultural relativism- lack of ecological validity, cannot generalise findings might not be considered adequate in another culture
Lack of reliability- FFA might not be linked to abnormality but to other factors
Subjective- relies on subjective judgement which is open to bias and misjudgement, lack of validity and unscientific

Question 11

What is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

Answer 11

an individual has a trait, behaviour or characteristic that is statistically uncommon, the idea that abnormality should be based on infrequency. -if it occurs rarely, then it is abnormal

Question 12

What is the maths behind statistical infrequency?

Answer 12

the idea that human attributes fall into a normal distribution within the population. there is a central average, or mean, and the rest of the population fall symmetrically above and below that mean. any behaviour outside the mean can be considered as ‘infrequent’

Question 13

IQ example of statistical infrequency

Answer 13

there is normal distribution of where people usually score between 85-115. around 2% have below 70 and around 2% have higher than 140 so those are considered abnormal

Question 14

Strengths of statistical frequency:

Answer 14

• intuitive, abnormality is when something does not occur
• objective, clear what is defined, no bias
• a useful overview, looks at whole picture taking whole population into account so can give insight of whole particular characteristic.

Question 15

Weakness of statistical frequency:

Answer 15

• inflexible
• abnormal behaviours can occur frequently, i.e depression (25% of population)
• culture, there are cultural differences that are not taken into account

Question 16

Definition of Ideal Mental Health?

Answer 16

Individual can be considered abnormal if they deviate from an ideal state of mental health. (Jahoda 1958)

Question 17

Criteria of ideal mental health (Marie Jahoda)

Answer 17

• Self-actualisation, state of contentment
• Autonomy, independence and self-reliance
• Resistance to stress, handle stress competently
• Environmental mastery, adapt to new situations
• Accurate perception of reality, how sees the world around them, focused on distortions of thinking
• Positive attitude towards the self, individual’s level of self-esteem.

Question 18

Strengths of ideal mental health definition:

Answer 18

• Practical applications

- Positive, what is helpful and desirable, set clear goals

Question 19

Weakness of ideal mental health definition:

Answer 19

• Unrealistic, criteria practically impossible to achieve
• Ethnocentrism, collectivist cultures seem abnormal. definition is not global
• Subjectivity, criteria stipulated are vague and difficult to measure