psychopathology - definitions of abnormality Flashcards
what are the 4 definitions of abnormality
Deviation from social norms (DSN)
Failure to function adequately (FFA)
Deviation from Ideal mental health (DIMH)
Statistical infrequency (SI)
Deviation from social norms - AO1
- social norms = standards of acceptable behaviour set by a social group i.e. social norms
- can be explicit (e.g. laws) or implicit (e.g. unwritten rules)
- anything that deviates from these social norms considered as abnormal
example
- OCD individuals may refuse to use cutlery due to fear of contamination
- so they bring their own
- would be seen as abnormal
- link ideas to mental heath
Criticism of DSN - AO3
cultural relativism
P - social norms created within cultures
- limited by cultural relativism
E - different cultures = different social norms = different expectations of behaviour
E - e.g. western culture receiving messages from spirits seen as a symptom of schizophrenia
- non-western can be seen as a spiritual gift (shaman)
L - limiting appropriateness of this explanation
- outside western cultures
Strength of DSN - AO3
differentiates between desirable/undesireable behaviour within cultures
P - differentiates between desirable and undesirable behaviour in a culture
E - categorises behaviour based on social norms in cultures
- unlike statistical infrequency
- which suggests rare/untypical behaviour is abnormal
E - even though this behaviour may be desirable e.g. high IQ
L - so DSN is more appropriate definition
- allows us to understand behaviour in context
Failure to function adequately - AO1
- involves not being able to cope with demands of everyday life
- looks at behaviour that interferes with everyday life e.g. unable to maintain personal hygiene
- Rosenhan and Seligman state that signs of FFA include:
- maladaptive behaviour, irrational behaviour, behaviour harmful to themselves/others, severe personal distress
Strength of FFA - AO3
useful measure for seeking professional help
P - strength of FFA
- “failure to cope with demands of everyday lie”
- useful measure for when professional help should be sought
E - mental health charity ‘Mind’
- state that 48% people will experience mental health problem at some point in life
E - if noticed ppl FFA
- treatment and services can be targeted to those who need it most
L - so FFA is useful
- early intervention can be given to those who need it
Weakness of FFA - AO3
Easy to label non-standard lifestyle as FFA
P - weakness of FFA
- easy to label non-standard lifestyle as abnormal
E - difficult to distinguish between if individuals FFA or simply DSN
E - e.g. people who take part in unusual spiritual activities
- or high risk leisure risk activities
- can be labelled as abnormal
L - FFA limits freedom of choice
- as those who take part in unusual activities at risk of being labelled as abnormal
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - AO1
- Jahoda (1958) says there are 6 criteria to define mental healthiness
- failure to meet one or more suggest abnormality
- more failed to meet, more abnormal
- Self-attitudes
- high self esteem and strong sense of identity - Self-actualisation
- ability to reach full potential and work to capabilities - Reality
- accurate perception of the world - Autonomy
- being independent and self-regulating - Resistance to stress
- able to cope with stress - Mastery of environment
- ability to love, function at work and relationships, solve problems, adjust to new situations
Jahodas 6 criteria
Students Should Revise All Relevant Material
- Self-attitudes
- Self-actualisation
- Resistance to stress
- Autonomy
- Reality
- Mastery of environment
Strength of DIMH - AO3
positive approach
P - DIMH vastly different to other definitions
- more positive approach to defining mental health
E - looks at positive characteristics that make up normal behaviour
- rather than abnormal
- unlike FFA
E - reducing stigma around mental health
- those who are suffering more likely to seek help and advice
L - so DIMH more appropriate than other definitions
Weakness of DIMH - AO3
strict criteria
P - DIMH has strict criteria
E - ppl may be unable to realistically meet all 6 criteria at once
E - e.g. person who just lost job
- unable to cope with stressful situation
- classed as abnormal by this definition
L - limits DIMH as definition
Statistical infrequency - AO1
- suggests we look at normal behaviour seen as typical/normal of general population
- behaviour classed as rare/not sown by many people classed as abnormal
- on distribution curve behaviour that is +/-2 standard deviations from mean = statistically rare
example
- OCD affects 2% of population
- link examples to mental health
Strength of statistical infrequency - AO3
Practical applications
P - strength of SI
- practical application
E - used in real world clinical practice
- diagnosis of symptoms
E - e.g. intellectual disability classed at bottom 2% of IQ scores (below 70)
- Becks depression score of 30+ (top 5%) seen as severe depression
L - important part of applied psychology
Weakness of statistical infrequency - AO3
does not differentiate between desirable and undesirable behaviour
P - rare behaviour not always abnormal
- SI does not differentiate between abnormal and normal behaviour
E - e.g high IQ is rare
- but desirable not abnormal
E - SI suggest high IQ is abnormal
L - limitation of SI
- SI cannot be used to solely diagnose
2 evaluation points for DSN
- criticism - cultural relativism
- strength - differentiates between desirable and undesirable behaviour
