Psychopathology- definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What does statistical infrequency state

Answer 1

What is normal usually happens (or happens to the majority of people) and anything that occurs rarely is abnormal.

Question 2

Evaluation- Stat infrequency
-objectivity

Answer 2

The objectivity that this definition gives allows for an impartial and fair assessment of abnormality. Building a ‘cut-off’ point for abnormality allows practitioners to see if the behaviour is statistically rare.

For example, an IQ of above 130 or below 70 is abnormal, whereas an IQ of between 70 and 130 is normal.

Overall, this improves the reliability of diagnosis, as conditions will not be subject to medical opinion or doctor’s subjective perceptions. The quantitative data used in the definition needs little interpretation.

Question 3

Evaluation for stat-infrequency
- Is mental health black and white

Answer 3

INFREQUENCY

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.

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.

Question 4

Evaluation of stat-infrequency
-Practical applications

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Evaluation of stat-infrequency
-Cannot account for all conditions

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What does deviation from social norms state

Answer 6

The underlying, basic theory here is that behaviour is abnormal if it goes against what most people in society would consider acceptable.

Question 7

What does the deviation from social norms explanation refer to abnormality as

Answer 7

Socially deviant behaviour.

Question 8

Evaluation of deviation from social norms
- Takes a holistic approach

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Evaluation of deviation from social norms
- Subjectivity

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Evaluation of deviation from social norms
-Practical applications

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Evaluation of deviation from social norms
-Era dependent

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Evaluation of deviation from social norms
-Cultural relativism

Answer 12

The Deviation from social norms as an explanation of abnormality is influenced by cultural relativism.

Social norms are specific to a particular societal group, so behaviour which is viewed as deviant in one society may be acceptable in another.

For example, hearing voices is seen as socially acceptable in some cultures, but would be seen as abnormal and a sign of mental illness in the UK.

This implies the definition is culturally bound and creates problems for people from one culture living within another culture.

Question 13

What is the basic idea of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 13

Behaviour is abnormal if it lacks the signs of what people consider to be ideal mental health.

Question 14

______ (1958) identified _ aspects of ideal mental health and suggested that the absence of most of these categories would indicate ______________.

Answer 14

Jahoda
6
abnormality

Question 15

What does ‘positive attitude towards self’ entail in the deviation from ideal mental health explanation

Answer 15

Having self-respect and a positive self attitude, e.g., good self esteem.

Question 16

What does ‘accurate perception of reality’ entail in the deviation from ideal mental health explanation

Answer 16

Perceiving the world without distortion. Having an objective and realistic view of the world.

Question 17

What does ‘autonomy’ entail in the deviation from ideal mental health explanation

Answer 17

Being independent, self-reliant and able to make personal decisions.

Question 18

What does ‘resistance to stress’ entail in the deviation from ideal mental health explanation

Answer 18

Resisting and coping with stress by combining psychological wellbeing with personal growth.

Question 19

What does ‘self actualisation’ entail in the deviation from ideal mental health explanation

Answer 19

Experiencing personal growth and development. Achieving potential and becoming everything one is capable of becoming

Question 20

What does ‘environmental mastery’ entail in the deviation from ideal mental health explanation

Answer 20

Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Being flexible.

Question 21

Evaluation of DFIMH explanation
-Positive explanation

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Evaluation of DFIMH explanation
-unrealistic

Answer 22

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 abnormal

Question 23

Evaluation of DFIMH explanation
-Practical applications

Answer 23

This definition also has practical applications.

By recognising the criteria for ideal mental health, we can more easily spot when someone is not meeting that criteria, and what specifically they need to work on to improve their mental wellbeing.

For instance, if an individual is having difficulty with ‘resisting stress’ then this would suggest they need to work on their coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques.

Hence, the 6 criteria can be used effectively in therapy to help people with psychological problems and help reduce psychological distress, so therefore has had positive tangible effects in society.

Question 24

Evaluation of DFIMH explanation
-Cultural relativism

Answer 24

Many of the 6 criteria of ideal mental health are not important in all cultures.

For example, high self-esteem is particularly important in individualistic cultures (such as Western European and North American cultures) but not as important in collectivist cultures (such as most Asian cultures). In addition, criteria such as ‘personal growth and autonomy’ may be more applicable to individualistic rather than collectivist cultures because… the emphasis on personal achievement and the concept of self would be considered self-indulgent as it is focused on the individual, not on the benefits to the community.

Hence, not all societies feel that these are the ultimate aims for psychological health.

Question 25

What does the failure to function adequately state

Answer 25

Behaviour is abnormal if it prevents a person from leading their everyday life.

Question 26

Who proposed the FFA explanation

Answer 26

Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 27

What is personal distress (suffering)
-FFA

Answer 27

The individual may themselves suffer as a result of their condition (e.g., depression) or may inflict suffering on others.

Question 28

What is maladaptive behaviour
-FFA

Answer 28

Behaviour prevents the person reaching desired goals, e.g., unable to work or have relationships.

Question 29

What is unpredictability
-FFA

Answer 29

Behaviour is unexpected or unpredictable.

Question 30

What is observer discomfort
-FFA

Answer 30

Behaviour makes those around feel uncomfortable, e.g., swearing.

Question 31

Violation of moral qualities…
-FFA

Answer 31

Not behaving in accordance with society’s norms, e.g., public nudity.

Question 32

Unconventionality (vividness)…
-FFA

Answer 32

Others find the behaviour odd, e.g., having tattoos all over your body.

Question 33

What is ‘irrationality’
-FFA

Answer 33

Behaviour seems to defy logical sense.

Question 34

Evaluating FFA
-More objective

Answer 34

On the positive side, it’s relatively easy to assess the consequences of failing to function adequately.

For example, it could be measured objectively by using checklists such as the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale to assess an individual. This method would be more effective than the counsellor / psychiatrist having the judge how distressed a patient is, which is open to bias and subjectivity.

This quantitative data helps make this definition of abnormality more objective, and therefore a more reliable way of defining abnormality.

Question 35

Evaluating FFA
-May be subjective

Answer 35

Deciding whether someone has any of the features of abnormality is influenced by subjective judgements.

For example… what creates observer discomfort in one person may not in another due to individual difference between people and their expectations. For instance, someone may feel very uncomfortable if someone swears a lot, but another person may not find it an issue.

This implies the definition… can be problematic when applied to the real word and lacks some aspects of science.

Question 36

Evaluating FFA
-Realistic definition

Answer 36

On a positive note, this definition of abnormality seems far more realistic as it suggests abnormality is not black or white, but various things contribute to this state.

For example… this definition combines various factors such as the violation of moral qualities (deviating from social norms), personal distress (being emotionally or physically harmed by the behaviour) and maladaptive behaviour (unable to achieve goals).

This expands upon previous definitions of abnormality, suggesting it doesn’t just matter if the behaviour is infrequent in society, or deviates from social norms or from ideal mental health. but a combination of all of those factors negatively impacting the individual’s life is what would constitute abnormality and signal MHPs.

This means the definition is more realistic and hence more credible than the statistical and social norm definition of abnormality.

Question 37

Evaluating FFA
-Cultural

Answer 37

Like most definitions of abnormality it seems to be culturally relative.

E:

E:

L: