Psychopathology - Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What is psychopathology?
It is the scientific study of psychological disorders. There are 4 definitons of abnormality.
What is the definition of abnormality?
When a trait or characteristic is uncommon, rare or only a few people have it.
What is statistical infrequency?
It occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic than most of the population; deviates from statistical norms. If you are in the top or bottom 2.5% of the population, you’re abnormal.
Explain definition 1 of abnormality - Statistical Infrequency
- States that human behaviour is abnormal if it’s statistically rare or outside of the typical range
- Any relitavely usual behaviour is classed as normal, and any unusual behaviour is classed as abnormal - statistically infrequent
- Human behaviour placed on a normal distribution curve so it’s easy to see where normal and abnormal fall
- On normal distribution curve, less than 5% of population will be found at plus or minus 2 standard deviations - any behaviours falling into these points will be statistically rare (abnormal)
- Standard deviation: how far away you are from mean score
Explain definition 2 - Deviation from Social Norms
- View that abnormality can be measured by how far a person’s behaviour deviates from the socially accepted norms or values of their society
- Allows abnormality to be understood in terms of what is desirable and undesirable in society
- If individual is deviant and goes against norms and values, they can be classed as abnormal
Explain definition 3 - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
- Abnormality in this definition occurs when someone fails to meet the prescribed criteria for psyhological normality and wellbeing e.g. resistance to stress
- Ignores what makes someone abnormal and instead focuses on what makes someone normal
- Marie Jahoda suggested 6 criteria which indicated ideal mental health, to be classified as normal you must possess all 6 criteria to pursue optimal living and to be classed as normal
What are the 6 criterias that Marie Jahoda suggested?
1. Self Attitudes: having high self esteem and strong sense of identity
2. Personal growth and self actualisation: the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilties (reach our potential)
3. Integration: being able to cope with stressful situations
4. Autonomy: being independent of others and self regulating
5. Having an accurate perception of reality
6. Mastery of environment: Ability to love, function at work and in relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems
Explain definition 4 - The Failure to Function Adequately
- Abnormal behaviour which causes a person distress or an inability to cope with everyday life
- People are classed as not functioning adequately when they are unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene, as well as not being able to hold down a job or maintain relationships with people around them
- When people have stopped functioning adequately, they’ve reached abnormality and dysfunction - maladaptive behaviour - actions preventing people adapting, adjusting or participating in different aspects of life
- Rosenhan and Seligman 1989: concept of dysfunction included 3 factors and the more that the person is showing these 3 behaviours, the more abnormal they are
Explain the 3 behaviours supporing the concept of dysfunction from Rosenhan and Seligman
1. When a person experiences personal distress: Distress is main symptom of depression and can be experienced as intense unhappiness, sleep loss and constant tiredness
2. When a person’s behaviour no longer conforms to standard rules: Behaviour that stops an individual from attaining satisfactory personal and social goals
3. When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational: If a peron’s behaviour is bizarre or dangerous and it’s not clear why they’re behaving like this, they are displaying a failure to function
Example of Statistical Infrequency
IQ and Intellectual Disability Disorder
Average IQ is 100, most people have an IQ in the range from 85-115. Only 2.5% people score below 70 and they are considered abnormal, making them liable to recieve a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder. Also, 2.5% at the other end of the normal distribution curve are classed as genius but also classed as abnormal because it is not the majority.
Example of Deviation from Social Norms
Antisocial personality disorder
A person with this disorder is aggressive,impulsive and irresponsible, and one important symptom is a failure to conform to normative or lawful behaviour. A psychopath is seen as abnormal because they don’t conform to moral standards, it’d be considered abnormal in a variety and wide range of cultures.
Example of Failure to Function Adequately
Intellectual Disability Disorder
This diagnosis would have to be made not only off statistical infrequenices, but clear signs that an individual wasn’t able to cope with the demands of everyday living, it is an example of failing to function adequately.
