Psychopathology(definitions of abnormalities) Flashcards
Statistical infrequency -
Defined as behaviours that are extremely rare, Mode, median, range can be used in order to find out what behaviours are most common. Seen as a numerical based disorder that can be used to explain it. They are judged to abnormal from from being statistically uncommon.
Deviation from social norms -
Deviation from normal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules about how a person ought to be behave, anything violating the rules is seen as abnormal. Regarded as socially based definition. (Consider the social norms), the behaviour is considered in terms of what is socially desirable and what is not.
Some behaviours are seen as desirable - limitation SI
For example, some behaviours that are disorders are seen as desirable (IQ) very few people have an IQ over 150, equally there are some behaviours that are seen as undesirable, therefore statistical infrequency doesn’t distinguish between what behaviours are seen as desirable and undesirable. It also doesn’t consider then why we may act in this way.
What is socially acceptable may not be today - limitation SN
Idea that what is socially acceptable now was not considered acceptable then. (idea of your sexuality). Also 50 years in Russia anyone who disagreed with how the state of law was ran was considered abnormal, therefore we may create definitions based on social morals and attitudes which may not be relevant.
Failure to function adequately -
people are judged on the idea of their daily lives, by not achieving this it is classed as abnormal. Not functioning adequately causes distress and it may cause other mental disorders. E.g not having a job or doing daily chores may cause and lead to distress. The individual may experience psychological stress on every day life and will fail to function, E.g if someone has depression they may struggle to get up in morning and sleep at night.
Deviation from ideal mental health -
Abnormality is defined as someone’s mental health, behaviour that are happy include a positive attitude towards the self, giving an accurate presentation of an ideal reality. It is based on the Humanistic approach, It considers a positivist definition where it looks at the characteristics that need to be presented for maintaining optimal health. Without these characteristics may indicate a psychological disorder. Can be discussed by Jahoda - 6 criteria.
Cultural relativism - SI
Also some cultural relativism is present as some countries may be experience more disorders more than other for example schizophrenia (claiming to hear voices) is a normal experience in some cultures. Therefore there is no universal labelling to identify what is classed as abnormal behaviour. Therefore the definition may not consider cultural relativism in some behaviours from it being discussed in different cultures. What may be socially acceptable/desirable may not be socially acceptable/desirable in another culture.
Johoda 6 criteria two examples for deviation for mental health -
(Self attitude + Personal growth)
PG - Leads to self actualisation - developing to your personal potential.
SA - High self esteem and high self identity.
Jahoda 6 criteria proposed -
The more present characteristics of the model, the more mentally healthy the individual is or a less present risk of mental ill health.
Deviation of ideal mental health is a positive approach - DOMH
The idea of this disorder can be assessed to look at the positives rather than the negatives, offers an alternative and suggest what is desirable rather than undesirable, this is despite Johoda’s ideas were never really considered by mental health professionals, but the idea does offer some movement of psychology and therefore has a positive influence of the humanistic approach at achieving self actualisation and achieving the opposite of deviation of ideal mental health.
Failure to function adequately is subjective - FTFA
It is someone’s idea of to suggest that a person if failing to function adequately, If a person if feeling distress and can’t engage in regular activities such as cleaning and going to work this may be recognised as being undesirable, but the individual may be content with the situation and be unaware that it is abnormal. It other who may feel uncomfortable and distressed about their behaviour which suggest whether or not the behaviour is defined as abnormal. For example Peter Sutcliffe as a serial killer can be defined as failing to function adequately however in his own mind it made sense to defend himself and others from evil. So the idea suggest that there is a subjective message which is delivered to suggest whether they are failing to function adequately.
