Psychopathology - Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What is the definition of ‘deviation of social norms’?

Answer 1

Defines abnormality as breaking the generally accepted rules of social behaviour

Question 2

Example 1: deviation from social norms

Answer 2

• a psychopath breaking the law by acting violently to someone else
• a psychopath is a person with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) according to the Diagnostic Statistic Manual
• a psychopath is a psychopath because they don’t conform to moral standards

Question 3

Example 2: Deviation from social norms

Answer 3

• a person with OCD may break society’s conventions by doing the same thing many more times than it is generally accepted

Question 4

What are the limitations to the definition of ‘deviation from social norms’ ?

Answer 4

• limitations are that social norms can change over time meaning that we can see something as abnormal in one generation, but may not see it like that in the next

Question 5

Example 1: limitations of deviation from social norms

Answer 5

• an example is homosexuality
• America’s Psychiatric Association classified homosexuality as a mental disorder up until 1973

Question 6

Example 2: limitations of deviation from social norms

Answer 6

• other abnormalities can be seen in cultural relativity in ‘cultural bound’ as it is seen as abnormal as it only happens in one culture
• a person from one culture may see someone from another cultural group as abnormal - there are no universal standards of someone behaving that way

Question 7

What does the definition of deviation from social norms distinguish?

Answer 7

Distinguishes between what is normal and what is not and labels people behaving abnormally as social deviants

Question 8

What does the limitations of the definition of deviation from social norms distinguish?

Answer 8

Helps society by protecting it against individual abnormal behaviour and gives the people the right to intervene

Question 9

What is the definition of ‘failure to function adequately’ ?

Answer 9

defines abnormality in terms of when a disorder interferes with normal behaviour for example, maintaining jobs and relationships

Question 10

Example 1: Failure to function adequately

Answer 10

someone suffering from abnormalities such as depression may struggle to get up in the morning, get washed and dressed or struggle to keep a job

Question 11

Failure to function adequately: What are the seven features Rosenhan and Seligman identified of personal dysfunction?

Answer 11

Seven features of person dysfunction:
irrationality
maladaptive behaviour
observed discomfort
personal distress
unconventionality
unpredictability
violation of moral standards

Question 12

What is the limitations to failure to function adequately?

Answer 12

Exceptions to the rule in that psychological disorders may not stop everyone from functioning adequately

Question 13

Example 1: Limitations to failure to function adequately

Answer 13

Harold Shipman was a doctor who murdered at least 215 of his patients but was able to keep hold of a job and maintain a relationship

Question 14

Example 2: Limitations to failure to function adequately

Answer 14

Cultural relativity - someone may not be able to form relationships or hold a job due to economic conditions in their culture rather than it being a sign of psychological disorder

Question 15

What is the advantage of failure to function adequately?

Answer 15

Has the advantage of a more objective measuring scale e.g. the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale

Question 16

What is the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 16

A list of criteria that states what is healthy, an e.g. self-actualisation

Question 17

Example 1: Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 17

A person with OCD would be classed as abnormal as they don’t get an accurate perception of reality, for e.g. they would be checking if the doors are locked more than once or multiple times

Question 18

What does Johada’s criteria include?

Answer 18

Autonomy - to be independent and self-reliant
Environmental mastery - being able to adapt to changing life circumstances
Positive attitude towards oneself
Resisting stress

Question 19

What is one weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 19

The criteria are so demanding that very few people can meet all the criteria meaning the majority of people would be classed as abnormal

Question 20

Example 1: Deviation from ideal mental health weakness

Answer 20

A few people self-actualise as it involves reaching our full potential. People don’t generally self-actualise as they could have problems with themselves or the environment

Question 21

Example 2: Deviation from ideal mental health weakness

Answer 21

Definition can also be criticised in terms of cultural relativity e.g. in poorer cultures, people need to pursue the basic necessities for survival rather than pursuing self-actualisation or happiness

Question 22

What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 22

Its positive as it emphasises achievements rather than failures and what’s desirable and what’s not

Question 23

Define statistical infrequency

Answer 23

Defines abnormality as behaviour that occurs rarely within the general population

Question 24

Example 1: statistical infrequency

Answer 24

Someone who scored very low on an IQ test may be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder (previously known as retardation)

Question 25

What is one weakness of statistical infrequency in terms of behaviour? Give an example

Answer 25

The statistical infrequency definition can be criticised in that not all behaviours that occur rarely are negative
e.g. having a high IQ would be seen as being positive and someone with a high IQ would not need treatment to return to normal

Question 26

What is another weakness of statistical infrequency in terms of culture? Give an example

Answer 26

The definition can also be criticised in terms of cultural relativity.

e.g. depression is much more common in Western cultures than in Asian cultures meaning by this definition, it shouldn’t be considered as abnormal in Western cultures but should in Asian cultures

Question 27

Give one strength of the definition of statistical infrequency

Answer 27

It is objective as there is an agreed ‘cut off’ point between normal and abnormal behaviour.
In terms of its objectivity, it makes no value judgements as it doesn’t suggest abnormalities are wrong but merely occur less frequently in the population