Psychopathology- Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
Define deviation from social norms
When a person’s thoughts and feelings deviate from the unwritten rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group
What may a person’s behaviour appear like to others if they deviate from social norms?
-Incomprehensible
-Threatend
-Uncomfortable
Define deviant behaviour
-Behaviour which is considered anti social or undeseriable by the majority of society
Give some examples of understanding social norms
-ADP- antisocial personality disorder (criminal behaviour, reckless,irrational and dangerous)
-Day drinking/drugs
-Wearing a coat on a hot day
Social norms: Why is flexibility a strength?
-The definition is flexible depending on the situation and age
-EG. wearing a bikini in a shopping centre vs the beach
Social norms: Why is clarity a strength?
-If you have lived in a culture for a while you will be aware of what is acceptable and what is not
Social norms: Give another strength
-Helps society to adhere to social norms so it is predictable and ordered
Social norms: Why is subjectivity a weakness?
-Somethings/somebody may view as normal may be abnormal to another
Social norms: Why are changes over time a weakness?
-Allows for age and situation-dependent behaviour to become norms over time
-Sometimes lack of consensus between generations (eg. homosexuality
Social norms: Why are cultural differences a limitation?
-Not always clear what is abnormal in different cultures
Social norms: Why are ethical differences a limitation?
-Dictated by the minority
What is statistical infrequency?
-When a person’s traits, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual
How do we measure how rare a trait or behaviour is before we class it as abnormal?
-Use standard deviations (2 standard deviation points away from the mean
Give an example of a disorder which could be described as statistically infrequent
-IDD- intellectual disability disorder (IQ lower than 70)
Give a strength of statistical infrequency (objectivity)
-All clinicians will have the same judgement
-Clear whta is normal and what is not
-Not based on opinion
Give a strength of statistical infrequency (useful overview)
-Looks at the whole picture, taking all the population into account
-Can give a usefulinsight into the whole picture
Give a strength of statistical infrequency (intuitive)
-Idea of abnormality is when something does not occur as stated by the definition
-Often accepted definition
Give a limitation of statistical infrequency (inflexible)
-A degree of inflexibility
-Scores at the top/bottom 2.5%
-Some behaviours that are not normal dont fit the ddefinition
-OCD= 3% of the populations
-Definition + current criteria for defining mental health issues dont match
Give a limitation of statistical infrequency (culture)
-NO consideration of cultural differences
-Populations of the world are contained within the normal distribuition
What is failure to function adequately?
An inability to function adequately
Give some examples of not coping with everyday life.
-Not being able to hold down a job
-Maintain relationships
-Maintaining basic standards of baisc nutrition and hygiene
What were the signs of failure to cope according to Rosenhan and Seligmann (1989)?
-No longer conform to interpersonal rules (maintaining personal space)
-Experience personal distress
-Behaviour is irrational/dangerous
What were the factors identified by Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)?
-Observer discomfort- causes discomfort and distress to an observer
-Unpredictability- cannot trust that someone will behave consistently
-Irrationality- behaviour is extreme and hard to understand
-Maladaptiveness-interferes with a person’s usual daily routine
-Personal distress- anxiety/distress
-Violation of moral standards
-Unconventional behaviour
Give strengths of failure to function adequately. (definition,
observable behaviour, checklist, personal perspective, threshold for help)
Definition of abnormality- does recognise the subjective experience of the paitent
Observable behaviour- definition focuses on behaviours which can be observed in the individual, allowing others to judge if the individual appears to have abnormal behaviour
Checklist- the definition provides the individual with a practical checklist to check their behaviour
Personal perspective- allows the individuals to have their own perspective of mental disorder by recognising the personal experience of those suffering
represents a threshold for help and provides clear criteria for when individuals need professional help