Psychopathology - Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What is the definition of ‘deviation of social norms’?
Defines abnormality as breaking the generally accepted rules of social behaviour
Example 1: deviation from social norms
- 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
Example 2: Deviation from social norms
- a person with OCD may break society’s conventions by doing the same thing many more times than it is generally accepted
What are the limitations to the definition of ‘deviation from social norms’ ?
- 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
Example 1: limitations of deviation from social norms
- an example is homosexuality
- America’s Psychiatric Association classified homosexuality as a mental disorder up until 1973
Example 2: limitations of deviation from social norms
- 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
What does the definition of deviation from social norms distinguish?
Distinguishes between what is normal and what is not and labels people behaving abnormally as social deviants
What does the limitations of the definition of deviation from social norms distinguish?
Helps society by protecting it against individual abnormal behaviour and gives the people the right to intervene
What is the definition of ‘failure to function adequately’ ?
defines abnormality in terms of when a disorder interferes with normal behaviour for example, maintaining jobs and relationships
Example 1: Failure to function adequately
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
Failure to function adequately: What are the seven features Rosenhan and Seligman identified of personal dysfunction?
Seven features of person dysfunction:
irrationality
maladaptive behaviour
observed discomfort
personal distress
unconventionality
unpredictability
violation of moral standards
What is the limitations to failure to function adequately?
Exceptions to the rule in that psychological disorders may not stop everyone from functioning adequately
Example 1: Limitations to failure to function adequately
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
Example 2: Limitations to failure to function adequately
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
What is the advantage of failure to function adequately?
Has the advantage of a more objective measuring scale e.g. the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale
What is the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?
A list of criteria that states what is healthy, an e.g. self-actualisation
Example 1: Deviation from ideal mental health
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
What does Johada’s criteria include?
Autonomy - to be independent and self-reliant
Environmental mastery - being able to adapt to changing life circumstances
Positive attitude towards oneself
Resisting stress
What is one weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?
The criteria are so demanding that very few people can meet all the criteria meaning the majority of people would be classed as abnormal
Example 1: Deviation from ideal mental health weakness
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
Example 2: Deviation from ideal mental health weakness
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
What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?
Its positive as it emphasises achievements rather than failures and what’s desirable and what’s not
Define statistical infrequency
Defines abnormality as behaviour that occurs rarely within the general population
Example 1: statistical infrequency
Someone who scored very low on an IQ test may be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder (previously known as retardation)
What is one weakness of statistical infrequency in terms of behaviour? Give an example
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
What is another weakness of statistical infrequency in terms of culture? Give an example
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
Give one strength of the definition of statistical infrequency
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
