Psychopathology - Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What are the four definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• deviation from social norms
• failure to function adequately
• statistical infrequency
• deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

Outline deviation from social norms

Answer 2

• where an individual is classed as abnormal when they violate social norms
• this looks at the impact of an individual’s behaviour upon other people (behaviour that is displayed is examined in terms of how desirable it is for the individual/public)

Question 3

What are the strengths of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

• it distinguishes a difference between desirable and non-desirable behaviour
  
  • protects people from the effects of abnormal behaviour/ its damaging consequences
  • to highlight this abnormal behaviour, we can minimise it
    to protect others
• deviating from social norms can be positive
  
  • those who are socially deviant may have actively chosen a non-conformist lifestyle
  • e.g. the deviants in Nazi Germany who spoke out against the atrocities committed by Hitler did the right thing despite it not being the norm

Question 4

What are the weaknesses of deviation from social norms?

Answer 4

• not clear whether an individual has a psychological abnormality
  
  • psychologists must be careful when making judgements as someone may either be abnormal or just odd/eccentric
• context must be taken into account
  
  • e.g. wearing no clothes in the high street would be seen as deviating from social norms
  • but this would be acceptable in a different context (nudist beach)

Question 5

Outline failure to function adequately

Answer 5

• where an individual is classed as abnormal if they are unable to cope with day to day life (e.g. having a job, interacting well with others) due to their psychological distress
• this impacts their personal, social and occupational life

Question 6

What is the 7 criteria by Rosenhan and Seligman (SUMOVIV)?

Answer 6

• suffering:
  
  • an individual may be psychologically/physically suffering as they have a psychological abnormality that is causing a negative effect
• unpredictability/loss of control:
  
  • behaviour of abnormal individuals is often quite variable and uncontrolled (sometimes even inappropriate)
• maladaptiveness:
  
  • where abnormality prevents an individual from achieving major life goals (enjoying relationships/working effectively)
• observer discomfort:
  
  • those who observe abnormal behaviour may often experience some discomfort (can be due to cultural differences in behaviour/style)
• vividness/unconventionality:
  
  • the behaviour of abnormal individuals in various situations differ from how most people behave (non-conformists and eccentrics - anorexia nervosa)
• irrationality/incomprehensibility:
  
  • a common feature of abnormal behaviour is that we are not aware as to why someone would choose to behave like that (we do not know the reasons for it)
• violation of moral/ideal standards:
  
  • behaviour may be considered abnormal if it violates moral standards/social norms (however, the majority of people may fail to maintain these standards)

Question 7

What are the strengths of failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

• GAF scale
  
  • psychologists can accurately assess the degree of abnormality/how well the patient is coping with their daily life
  • if they are not coping well, then they are failing to function adequately and are therefore considered abnormal
• easy to assess consequences
  
  • psychologists can easily observe the patient’s behaviour to measure the level of psychological functioning
  • the criteria provides a clear threshold for when the patients require help

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately?

Answer 8

• abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
  
  • some people may have a psychological abnormality but may not possess any of the 7 criteria
  • e.g. Harold Shipman was a well-known and respected doctor
  • despite appearing to function adequately, he committed many murders (killed his patients)
  • so this may be an inaccurate definition of abnormality
• the 7 criteria can be quite problematic
  
  • these characteristics are difficult to measure/analyse
  • e.g. how is it possible to judge whether someone is suffering or not
  • shows that this model is very subjective and lacks being scientific and objective

Question 9

Outline statistical infrequency

Answer 9

• when an individual possesses a less common characteristic than most of the population (statistically rare), e.g. having an IQ score of over 130 or an IQ score of less than 100

Question 10

What are the strengths of statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

• desirable characteristics
  
  • even though an IQ of over 130 is seen as unusual/statistically rare, it is actually a positive trait
  • it does not mean that the individual is abnormal and requires treatment
• it is objective and unbiased
  
  • judgements are based on objective/scientific data that can help indicate abnormality/normality
  • these results can show whether an individual needs psychological help/assistance

Question 11

What are the weaknesses of statistical infrequency?

Answer 11

• involves labelling others as abnormal
  
  • e.g. someone with a low IQ of 70 may be labelled in a negative manner
  • this would affect the way they view themselves/their confidence and self-esteem
• subjective cut off point
  
  • there is a set cut off point between statistical infrequency (abnormal) and normality
  • this can be questioned as an IQ of 70 is seen as abnormal but an IQ of 71 is normal

Question 12

Outline deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 12

• where an individual is considered abnormal if they are unable to reach self-actualisation (their full potential)
• here, abnormality is associated with the lack of contented existence and if an individual fails to achieve their goals

Question 13

What is the 6 criteria by Marie Jahoda (APPIES)?

Answer 13

• autonomy:
  
• perception of reality:
  
• personal growth:
  
• integration:
  
• environmental mastery:
  -
• self attitudes:
  -

Question 14

What are the strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 14

• can be viewed as positive and productive
  
  • focuses on the ideal/optimal criteria that everyone should strive for in order to be psychologically healthy
  • it can be seen as a therapeutic goal that humans should aim to achieve (self actualisation)
• highlights/targets areas of dysfunction
  
  • patients are able to focus on these areas to improve in their life
  • this is especially important for treating different types of disorders (e.g. depression)

Question 15

What are the weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 15

• problematic criteria
  
  • the 6 criteria are based on abstract concepts/ideals which are difficult to define and measure
  • e.g. how much of each criteria does we need to be considered “psychologically healthy”
  • so the model is not very objective/scientific
• very few people can be classed as “normal”
  
  • only some people may be able to fulfil all 6 criteria at the same time to be considered normal
  • so many of us would be classed as abnormal (can argue that it is normal to be abnormal)
  • meeting all 6 criteria simultaneously is deemed as quite impossible, making this ideal. dry hard to meet