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
Give some limitations of failure to function adequately (who decides, dysfunctional behaviour, discrimination, abnormality is normal, abnormality+ dysfunction don’t always go together)
Who is the person who decides if someone is failing to function adequately
Dysfunctional behaviour can be adaptive+ functional for the individual
Discrimination- the definition labels individuals who make unusual life choices
Abnormality is normal- the definition does not consider when it is normal to behave abnormally for example at the loss of a loved one
Abnormality +dysfunctional do not always go together- the dysfunction does not explain people with dangerous disorders such as psychopaths
Define deviation from ideal mental health
Abnormal behaviour should be defined by the absence of particular (ideal) characteristics
What were Jahoda’s (1958) 6 principles of ideal mental health?
Attitude having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity
Personal growth and self-actualisation- the extent to which a person develops to their full capabilities
Integration- such as being able to cope with stressful situations
Autonomy- independence and self-regulating
Accurate perception reality- knowing that what you see is real and seen by others
Mastery of the environment- the ability to love function at work, interpersonal relationships, adjust to situations, solve problems
Give strengths of deviation from ideal mental health (Comprehensive, range of criteria, reasons for help, johada)
Deviation from ideal mental health is comprehensive
The definition covers a broad range of criteria for mental health
Probably covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help
The sheer range of factors discussed to joha bas criteria makes it a good tool when thinking about mental health
Give some limitations of deviation from ideal mental health (changes over time, cultural specifics, subjective criteria, context)
Changes over time do not account for behaviours that were once seen as normal and abnormal
Cultural specifics- specific for Western countries + collectivist cultures would see autonomy as undesirable
Subjective criteria- definition tries to treat mental health in the same way as physical health however it is more subjective
Context- diagnosing a paitent with a mental health condition is much more complex than self questionnaires and even some experienced professionals struggle to find answers
