Psychopathology - definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency?
It occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic
e.g being more depressed or less intelligent than most of the population
Behaviour that is rarely seen is abnormal
e.g IQ and intellectual disability disorder
- IQ is normally distributed
-The average IQ is 100. Most people have an IQ between 85 and 115, 2% have score below 70
-Scoring below 70, statistically unusual (abnormal) and diagnosed with IDD
What is a strength for the definition of statistical infrequency?
Has real world application
Why does statistical infrequency have real world application (A03)
Point - One strength is its real world application
Explanation - It is useful in diagnosis e.g IDD because this requires and IQ in bottom 2%
Evidence - Also helpful in assessing in a range of conditions. An example of SI used in an assessment tool is the Beck depression inventory, assess depression, only 5% people score 30+ which means severe depression
Link - Therefore an advantage because it is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
What is a limitation for the definition of statistical infrequency?
That unusual characteristics can also be positive
Explain why a limitation of statistical infrequency is that unusual characteristics can also be positive (A03)
Point - One limitation is that unusual characteristics can also be positive
Explanation - If very few people display a characteristic, then behaviour is statistically infrequency, doesn’t mean we would call them abnormal
Evidence - IQ scores above 130 are just as unusual as those below 70, not regarded as undesirable or needing treatment
Link - This is a limitation because although SI can be part of defining abnormality, it can never be its sole basis
What is deviation from social norms?
Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
Societies and social groups make collective judgements about ‘correct’ behaviours in particular circumstances
Few behaviours considered universally abnormal therefore definitions are related to cultural context
i.e historical differences within the same society - homosexuality viewed abnormal in some cultures but not others and was considered abnormal in our society in the past
Anti social personality disorder - a symptom is failure conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’ Saying psychopath is abnormal, they deviate from social norms/standards (lack empathy)
What is a strength for the definition of deviation from social norms?
It has real world application
Explain how deviation from social norms has real world application (A03)
Point - One strength is its real world application
Explanation - DFSN is useful in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder as it requires failure to conform to ethical standards
Evidence - helpful in diagnosing schizotypal personality disorder which involves ‘strange’ beliefs and behaviour
Link - Therefore a strength as it is useful in psychiatric diagnosis
What is a limitation for the definition of deviation from social norms?
Situationally and culturally relative
Explain how a limitation of deviation from social norms is situationally and culturally relative (A03)
Point - One limitation is that social norms are situationally and culturally relative
Explanation - A person from one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal using their standards rather than the person’s standards
Evidence - e.g hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be seen as a sign of abnormality in the UK
Link - This is a limitation as it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms from one context to another
What is failure to function adequately?
(2 psychologists)
Occurs when someone in unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living
Examples: not being able to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene/ hold down a job/ maintain relationships
Rosenhan and Seligman proposed further signs of failure to cope:
- they no longer conform to interpersonal rules e.g maintaining personal space
- they experience severe personal distress
- they behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous
Intellectual disability disorder:
- there has to be clear signs that the person was not able to cope with the demands of everyday living
- so it is an example of failure to function adequately
What is a strength for the definition of failure to function adequately?
Threshold for professional help
Explain why a strength of failure to function adequately is a threshold for professional help (A03)
Point - One strength is a threshold for professional help
Evidence - According to Mind, 25% of us experience symptoms of mental disorder to some degree in any given year
Explanation - Most of the time we press on, when we cease to function adequately people seek/referred for professional help
Link - This is an advantage because failure to function criterion provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need them the most
What is a limitation for the definition failure to function adequately?
Can lead to discrimination/ social control
Explain why a limitation of failure to function adequately can lead to discrimination/ social control (A03)
Point - One limitation is that this definition can lead to discrimination/ social control
Explanation - It is hard to distinguish between failure to function and a conscious decision to deviate from social norms
Evidence - e.g people may choose to live off grid as part of an alternative lifestyle choice or take part in high risk leisure activity
Link - This is a disadvantage because it suggests that people who make unusual choices can be labelled abnormal and freedom of choice restricted
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
- 1 psychologist
Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
Jahoda listed 8 criteria for ideal mental health:
- we have no symptoms/distress
- we are rational and perceive ourselves accurately
- we self actualise
- we can cope with stress
- we have realistic view of the world
- we have good self esteem and lack guilt
- we are independent of other people
- we can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
Inevitable overlap between definitions - someone’s inability to keep a job may be a sign of failure to cope with pressures of work or as deviation from the ideal of successfully working
What is a strength for the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?
The approach is comprehensive
Explain why a strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that the approach is comprehensive (A03)
Point - One strength is that the approach is comprehensive
Explanation - Ideal mental health includes a range of criteria for mental health. Covers most of the reasons why we might need help with mental health
Evidence - Means that mental health can be discussed meaningfully with range of professionals e.g psychiatrist or CBT therapist
Link - Therefore is an advantage as it provides checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others
What is a counterpoint from deviation from ideal mental health being comprehensive, explain why
Point - However deviation from ideal mental health can have extremely high standards
Explanation - Only a few attain all Jahoda’s criteria for mental health, none maintain them for long. Impossible set of standards can be disheartening
On the other hand having such comprehensive criteria for mental health might be of value to someone want to improve their mental health
Link - Therefore meaning that a set of comprehensive criteria may be helpful for some but not others
What is a limitation for the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?
May be culture bound
Explain why a limitation for deviation from ideal mental health may be culture bound (A03)
Point - One limitation is the definition may be culture bound
Explanation - Some criteria for ideal mental health are limited to the US and Europe
Evidence - such as self actualisation which is not recognised in most parts of the world. Even in europe there are variations in the value places on independence (high in germany, low in italy)
Link - Therefore a limitation as it means that it is difficult to apply the concept from one culture to another
