Psychopathology - Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
Define ‘deviation from social norms’
- Any behaviour that does not follow accepted social patterns or social rules.
- Such violation of these patterns or rules can be regarded as abnormal behaviour and would be classed as unacceptable. (An example could be wearing no clothes in public)
- looks at the impact of an individuals behaviour upon other people
- deviations form social norms can be seen as abnormal and undesirable
- society’s rules are based on moral standards. Rules can be explicit or codes of conduct
Evaluate ‘deviation from social norms’.
disadvantage is that the definition does not always clearly indicate psychological abnormality. Therefore psychologists must be cautious when making judgements about whether deviation from social norms implies that someone is abnormal or just odd/eccentric. E.g. people who streak might be quite odd and their behaviour does deviate from social norms; however it does not mean that they are mentally disturbed
disadvantage: context must be taken into account as being nude in the high street may be abnormal but being nude in a nudist beach is not abnormal
strength: distinguishes a difference between desirable and non desirable behaviour. The model aims to protect members of the public from the effects of abnormal behaviour and the damaging consequences it can have. For instance it is abnormal for someone to wear no clothes in the high street, and if someone was to display this behaviour it would be damaging and disturbing.
Define failure to function adequately
Theorised by Rosenhan and Seligman
- the fact that the person is unable to cope with day to day life such as having a job, or interacting well with others because they are experiencing psychological distress and discomfort. This will impact on their personal, social and occupational life.
- if the person seeks psychological help they could be classed as suffering from psychological distress
Psychologists use the global assessment of functioning scale (GAF) to assess ability to function adequately and there are seven criteria
State and describe the seven criteria of failure to function adequately
The seven criteria are as follows (SUMOVIV)
- Suffering : the person may be psychologically and physically suffering, because they have a psychological abnormality
- Unpredictability and loss of control: a person behaves in a very variable and uncontrolled manner
- Maladaptiveness: actions that prevent people from achieving life goals
- Observer discomfort: when others, see social rules, being broken and experience discomfort
- Vividness and unconventionality: people behave in very different ways, compared to most
- Irrationality and incomprehensibility: behaviour that is not clear to others
- Violation of moral and ideal standards: establish standards are violated
Evaluate failure to function adequately
One disadvantage can be that some people do you have a psychological abnormality but can still appear normal and do not possess any of the seven criteria proposed. An example is Harold Shipman, who committed many murders, but was quite normal and on the other hand, some people can just be having a bad day and fulfil criteria, but are not abnormal
Another disadvantage is that the criteria used can be problematic as they are difficult to measure and analyse. For example is difficult to measure how much someone is suffering. The model is very subjective and lacks being scientific and objective, and there are some occasions where the criteria should be adhere to, for example, suffering when a family member has passed away.
One strength of this model is that the GAF scale can help psychologist accurately assess the degree of abnormality by how many criteria they fulfil
Define statistical infrequency
Give an example (IQ)
Statistical infrequency occurs when an individual possesses a less common characteristic than most of the population. Behaviours displayed will be statistically rare for example, an IQ over 130
To continue with that point an average IQ is 100 so scores that are significantly higher or lower are statistically infrequent
- 95% of the population has an average IQ score
- 2. 5% of the population has an above average, IQ score
- 2. 5% of the population has a below average, IQ score
We can display this data using a normal distribution curve
Look at the brainscapes for statistical infrequency and see if you can talk about negative and positive skew
Evaluate statistical infrequency
One advantage is that to have a statistically rare characteristic can sometimes be a good thing. For example, an IQ over 130 could be very useful. So statistical infrequency can be a good thing.
An advantage of statistical frequency is that judgements are based on objective scientific, and unbiased data and the results from tests to measure these characteristics can be used to indicate whether someone needs help
Disadvantage of statistical infrequency is that involves labelling some people as abnormal, and they may be labelled in a negative manner. For example, when they have an IQ of under 70 it could affect their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Another disadvantage of statistical infrequency can be the subjective cut-off point between abnormality and normality The dividing line can sometimes be questioned because what is the difference between someone with an IQ of 70 and 71, where one would be labelled abnormal and one not
Define deviation from ideal mental health
By Marie Jahoda
This definition stems from the humanist approach, focusing on motivation and self development
Maslow devised the hierarchy of needs were human seek to have basic needs met first then move to the next level.
abnormality is related to the lack of “contented existence “so therefore people who deviate from having ideal mental health are abnormal
“Self actualisation” means humans should strive to reach full potential abnormality could occur if the person fails to achieve their goals, where is normal, people would strive to achieve a series of goals
Jahoda has argued that abnormality in normality and not very useful so she developed six criteria to define abnormality
What are the six criteria proposed by Marie Jahoda?
The six criteria (APPIES) are as follows
- Autonomy, which is the degree to which an individual is independent of social influence and can make their own decisions
- Perception of reality, which is a prime factor, whereby mentally healthy people do not disturb their perception of reality they are neither overly pessimistic or optimistic and they show signs of empathy and social sensitivity to others
- Personal growth, which is the extent of an individuals, growth development or self actualisation
- Integration which is being able to cope with stressful situations and anxiety provoking situations
- Environmental mastery, which is the extent to which an individual is successful and well adapted, including the ability to love adequacy at work and play and good interpersonal relations
- Self attitudes, the person has high self-esteem, and a strong sense of identity
Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health
The strength of the model is that it can be viewed as positive and productive, because it focuses on optimal criteria, and it could be seen as a therapeutic goal to strive for these self-actualisation as a positive traits that every human should try to accomplish if possible
Another advantage is that you can highlight target areas of dysfunction which the patient can then work on to improve their life. This may be important when treating different types of disorders. For example, people with poor self attitudes, maybe showing signs of depression
A weakness is that this model can be viewed as problematic as the six criteria are based on abstract concepts and ideals. These can be difficult to then define and measure, for instance, how much environmental mastery they have. Therefore the model is not very object or scientific
Another disadvantage is that few people can actually achieve all of the six criteria at one time. Therefore many of us would be classed as abnormal to sustain and meet all of the six criteria at any one time could be deemed as quite impossible or very difficult.
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
Deviation from ideal mental health
Failure to function
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
