Psychopathology: Defining abnormality Flashcards
Describe and define statistical infrequency
The underlying, basic theory here is that what is normal usually happens (or happens to the majority of people) and anything that occurs rarely is abnormal.
For example. schiz is rare and affects about 1% of global population.
Define in more detail:
- any persons measurement which falls outside a defined field (2 S.D.s away from mean) can therefore be classed as abnormal
- we have to measure characteristics and calculate an average and calculate SD
Statistical infrequency as a sign of abnormality isn’t always a negative thing. Explain below:
some people may have exceptional/abnormal talent that most of us do not possess like amazing athletes or musicians and can such be seen as abnormal
This suggests abnormality is not always a bad thing to possess
Evaluation for statistical infrequency:reliable
P:The objectivity that this definition gives allows for an impartial and fair assessment of abnormality.
E:Building a ‘cut-off’ point for abnormality allows practitioners to see if the behaviour is statistically rare.
E:For example, an IQ of 68 means abnormal and an IQ of 75 is normal
L:Overall, this improves the reliability of diagnosis,as conditions will not be subject to medical opinion or doctor’s subjective perceptions.
Evaluation for statistical infrequency: Practical applications
This definition of abnormality has useful practical applications.
E: With IQ, if someone had a very low IQ score, then things could be put in place to help them manage and succeed in education.
E: For instance, we know an IQ of less than 70 is statistically rare and therefore abnormal, so we could provide those individuals with learning support assistants or differentiated resources to help them.
This suggests that there are potential benefits to society of using this definition to classify abnormality.
Evaluation for statistical infrequency: it is not black and white
However, it could easily be argued that abnormality is not this ‘black and white’, and that abnormality is subject to different gradations.
For example, the difference between an IQ of 68 and 73 is practically non-existent, but this definition says its massive, as 68 is deemed abnormal but 73 is normal. Having a single cut off point is often too arbitrary to take into account real situations.
This implies that categorising abnormality as ‘abnormal’ or ‘normal’ ignores the grey area of abnormality and it could be argued that abnormality should follow the example of autism, whereby all individuals are placed on the same spectrum, not in opposing categories.
Evaluation for statistical infrequency: not all abnormal behaviours are rare
Lastly, not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent and rare, creating problems for this definition.
For example, depression can be considered to be a common behaviour (25% suffer a depressive episode at some point in their life), yet a medicated approach is often an effective approach in treating these
episodes. Failure to categorise depression as ‘abnormal’ may prevent effective treatment strategies from being employed, prolonging the sufferers experience.
This implies…
that this definition of abnormality cannot account for all psychiatric conditions, reducing its explanatory power.
Define and describe deviation from social norms
The underlying, basic theory here is that behaviour is abnormal if it goes against what most people in society would consider acceptable.
This definition refers to abnormality as socially deviant behaviour. This means some behaviour is seen as abnormal because it is viewed by society as undesirable and anti-social, not necessarily rare.
E.g. catatonic behaviour where an individual may appear unmoving or unresponsive would be considered to be socially abnormal.
In order to judge what is abnormal behaviour, people consider what the norms in their society are (commonly held, unwritten standards about acceptable and expected behaviour) and then any behaviours which deviate from these are considered abnormal.
This may mean that sometimes, if a patient comes from a different culture than the doctors, s/he may not recognise normal behaviour as normal as they may not be familiar with diverse social norms.
In reality this definition is better thought of as cumulative – i.e. the more social norms people break, the more likely they are to be seen as abnormal.
EVALUATION OF DEVIATION
FROM SOCIAL NORMS: more holistic approach
This definition takes into account different types of norms; in this case situational and developmental norms.
Therefore it could be argued to have a more holistic approach to defining abnormality. For example,
situational norms like queuing or developmental norms like age specific behaviours (such as it seeming inappropriate for an adult to use a dummy). When these are violated it looks abnormal.
This could imply… the explanation is more useful for defining abnormality and could inform more practical applications.
EVALUATION OF DEVIATION
FROM SOCIAL NORMS: subjective
The subjectivity of this definition does limit its usefulness.
Social norms could be argued to be in the eye of the beholder, with huge differences between what an individual considers to be a norm. For example, not all British citizens will place huge emphasis on the importance of queueing, yet it is seen as a cornerstone of British society.
This subjectivity does not allow for a fair and equal assessment of what is abnormal and normal, unlike the statistical infrequency definition.
EVALUATION OF DEVIATION
FROM SOCIAL NORMS: practical applications
By society setting the standards of its own expected behaviour and abnormality being considered the breaking of this norm, it allows society/therapists to intervene when necessary.
For example, if an individual responds with major anxiety to bird (ornithophobia - phobia of birds) they could receive CBT or systematic desensitisation.
Therefore, this definition has practical applications for society helping the vulnerable and the abnormal by intervening on their behalf.
EVALUATION OF DEVIATION
FROM SOCIAL NORMS: era dependent
There are issues around the concept of social norms. Aside from the question of who decides these levels of societal normality, these norms change throughout time.
For example, in the UK, homosexuality was regarded as a psychiatric illness until 1973, but now it isn’t. Alternatively, drinking and driving was commonplace in the 60s and 70s, whereas now its seen as deviant. In many ways, this definition suggests concepts of abnormality change with time.
Hence, it could be argued that this definition of abnormality is ERA DEPENDENT, which could therefore threaten the usefulness of this definition.
Define and describe deviation from ideal mental health
The underlying, basic theory here is that behaviour is abnormal if it lacks the signs of what people consider to be ideal mental health.
According to this definition, behaviour is abnormal if a person deviates too far from the expected state of ideal mental health.
Rather than attempting to define abnormality it tries to define ideal mental health Jahoda (1958) identified 6 aspects of ideal mental health and suggested that the absence of most of these categories would indicate abnormality.
This definition could be thought of as degrees of normality.
Jahoda’s 6 main characteristics of ideal mental health cont.
- Autonomy…
Being independent, self-reliant and able to make personal decisions. - Resisting stress (integration)…
Resisting and coping with stress by combining psychological wellbeing with personal growth. - Self-actualisation…
Having self-respect and a positive self attitude, e.g., good self esteem. - Environmental mastery…
Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Being flexible
EVALUATION OF DEVIATION
FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH: positive
This definition could be argued to be refreshingly positive.
While other definitions have more focus on deficits and negative aspects of the human condition, this approach looks at what it takes to achieve perfect mental health.
The definition may give hope to people that they can work towards goals rather than seeing themselves as ‘failing’.
Therefore, deviation from ideal mental health is an optimistic definition of abnormality. It makes it clear to people the ways in which they could benefit from seeking treatment, say counselling, to improve their mental health.
EVALUATION OF DEVIATION
FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH: unrealistic
However, the criteria to achieve ideal mental health is very idealistic and suggests that the majority of people are considered abnormal by the standards suggested.
For example, humanism suggests that very few people in society will achieve self-actualisation, a key part of achieving ideal mental health.
It may be that this definition needs to be more realistic to most of society for it to be an effective analysis of abnormality.
This could imply… the theory sets an unrealistically high standard for mental health and may suggest that achieving ideal mental health is actually the abnormality.
