Psychopathology :Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What are the four definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What does statistical infrequency mean?

Answer 2

-a persons behaviour or thinking is considered abnormal if it is numerically rare
(eg IQ score)

Question 3

Evaluate statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

(2 weaknesses)

Answer 3

-some unusual characteristics are positive and some abnormal behaviours are not numerically rare (depression)
means it cant be used alone for a diagnosis

-its hard to determine where to draw the line between common and rare behaviour and its unclear how rare it has to be to be considered abnormal so relies on subjectivity

Question 4

Define deviation from social norms

Answer 4

if a person behaves a way that is different from most of society and they don’t follow the standards set by society they are considered abnormal

Question 5

Evaluate deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

(2 weaknesses)

Answer 5

-social norms change over time (eg homosexuality) , so the definition allows mental illness to be shaped by current attitudes which may result in unfair treatment/abuse of human rights

-social norms are culture dependent(hearing voices is abnormal in western societies but praised in others) , means theres no universal standard of whats abnormal leading to different diagnosis’s across cultures

Question 6

Define failure to function adequately

Answer 6

when behaviour interferes with daily routine its abnormal
-an inability to cope with day-day living so person is causing distress to themselves and those around them

Question 7

Evaluate failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

( 1 of each)

Answer 7

+recognises patients perspective , attempts to include patients subjective experiences meaning its useful for assessing abnormality

-there are exceptions to the rule , there are times when maladaptive behaviours aren’t abnormal due to circumstances , meaning sometimes behaviour that is seen as FTFA is understandable

Question 8

Define deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 8

an inability to show the 6 qualities that promote psychological health
-the more criteria not met the more abnormal they are

Question 9

What are the 6 features identified by Jahoda (1958)

Answer 9

-positive attitudes towards self
-accurate perception of reality
-resistance to stress
-personal autonomy
-self actualisation
-mastering the environment

Question 10

Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
(1 s and 2 w )

Answer 10

+its based on similar models of physical health so offers a comprehensive criteria for mental health , makes it an affective assessment tool

-its difficult to meet all the criteria , its unlikley that many would meet all criteria so it makes most people abnormal and sets an unrealistic standard for MH

-its culturally relative as the criteria is based on western ideas of psychological health so not applicable to other cultures