Psychopathology: Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
What is meant by DSN?
Deviation from social norms
What is meant by deviation from social norms
to move away from expected AND accepted behaviour set by a social group
What is meant by deviate?
to move away from
What is a social norm?
standards of acceptable and expected behaviour that are set by a social group in society
How does Deviation from Social Norms determine abnormal behaviour?
When someone moves away from acceptable and expected behaviour, they are considered abnormal
What is a weakness of deviation from social norms?
it is limited by cultural relativism
What is meant by cultural relativism?
Understanding a persons beliefs, values and behaviours based on their own culture rather than against the criteria of another culture.
Why is Deviation from Social Norms impacted by cultural relativism?
because different cultures have different social norms and expectations of behaviour
How might ‘receiving messages from spirits’ be seen in different cultures?
western culture - seen as a symptom of schizophrenia
WHEREAS
non-western culture= seen as a spiritual gift (shaman)
Why is Deviation from Social Norms not an appropriate definition of abnormality?
it defines abnormality outside of a specific culture.
What is a strength of Deviation from Social Norms?
it has real life application in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder
What is meant by desirable and undesirable behaviour?
Desirable behaviour= behaviour we admire/ celebrate
Undesirable behaviour= behaviour we want to eliminate
What is an example of desirable behaviour?
High IQ
What is an example of undesirable behaviour?
Shouting and swearing in a public setting
What are some examples that individuals with APD may carry out and therefore be considered abnormal?
truant behaviour
lack remorse
engaging in repeated illegal acts
Why is it a strength that DSN has real life application?
behaviours can be used by practitioners to judge whether an individual is displaying abnormal behaviour.
Match the statement to the definition
C
B
A
Why would Diane be showing deviation of social norms?
- She laughed during funeral prayers so she deviated from social norms of staying quiet during prayers
- She stands very close to people and makes them feel uncomfortable
What does FFA mean?
Failure to function adequately
What is failure to function adequately also known as?
FFA
What does failure to function adequately mean?
Not being able to cope with the demands of every day life
What does FFA look at in terms of abnormal behaviour?
Abnormal behaviour that interferes with every day life
What would be an example of behaviour that interferes with everyday life?
- unable to maintain basic hygiene
- unable to maintain standards of nutrition or personal hygiene.
Who are the key researchers within FFA?
Rosenhan and Seligman
What does Rosenhan and Seligman state as signs of failing to function?
- Maladaptive behaviour
- Irrational behaviour,
- Dangerous behaviour to self/ others
- Severe personal distress
What example of a mental disorder fits within FFA?
Depression - eating habits, inability to maintain relationships, failing to keep a job
What is a strength of failure to function adequately?
acknowledges the personal experience of the individual
how does FFA acknowledge the personal experience of the individual?
takes into account the persons subjective experience and their perception of their ability to cope with everyday life and whether or not they are feeling severe personal distress or not
What is a weakness of FFA?
it labels non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
How does FFA label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal?
it can’t differentiate whether they are failing to function or whether the behaviour has moved away from social norms
How would FFA view high risk leisure activities?
Abnormal- they are seen as dangerous and irrational
Why is it therefore a limitation that FFA labels non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal?
Because those who have unusual lifestyle choices are at risk of being incorrectly labelled as abnormal, limiting their freedom and autonomy.
What does DIMH mean?
Deviation from ideal mental health
Which definition of abnormality is the only one that focusses on defining normal behaviour first?
Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH)
Who is the main researcher in DIMH?
Jahoda
How does Jahoda’s DIMH define abnormality?
Failure to meet one or more of these criteria suggests abnorality
Under DIMH, how does it view abnormal behaviour?
Failure to meet one or more of the criteria suggests abnormality
Name all the criteria of DIMH
Self attitudes
Self actualisation
Resistance to stress
Autonomy
Reality
Mastery of environment
Which of the criteria is missing from this list?
Mastery of environment
What criteria is missing from this list?
Autonomy
What criteria is missing from this list?
Reality
What criteria is missing from this list?
Resistance to stress
What criteria is missing from this list?
Self-actualisation
What criteria is missing from this list?
Self-attitudes
What does the acrostic
“Student Should Revise All Relevant Material”
stand for?
Self attitudes
Self actualisation
Resistance to stress
Autonomy
Reality
Mastery of environment
What is meant by Self attitudes?
Having high self esteem and strong sense of identity
What is meant by Self actualisation?
the extent to which and individual works their capabilities to reach their full potential
What is meant by resistance to stress?
being resistant to stress, being capable of dealing with stress effectively
What is meant by Reality?
Having and accurate perception of reality
What is meant by mastery of environment?
ability to function at work and in relationships, to solve problems, to adjust to new situations
What is a strength of DIMH?
it covers a broad range of criteria for mental health
How does DIMH cover a broad range of criteria for mental health?
it covers most of the reasons why someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help.
What is a weakness of DIMH?
it has a strict criteria to determine mental healthiness
Why is it a weakness that the DIMH has a strict criterion?
People may not be able to realistically meet all 6 characteristics at any one time
How can the DIMH falsely label behaviour as abnormal?
those would be labelled as abnormal for not meeting the criteria due to external factors i.e. being made redundant/losing their job and therefore may not be able to deal with stress
What does this picture represent?
Normal distribution
What definition uses standard deviation to determine abnormal behaviour?
statistical infrequency
What is meant by SI?
Statistical infrequency
What is meant by statistical infrequency?
looking at the typical behaviour of the general population
What is meant by typical behaviour of general population?
the average behaviour
How does statistical infrequency determine abnormal behaviour?
any behaviour that is rare/uncommon is abnormal
What is considered rare behaviour?
behaviour not shown by many
How does statistical infrequency view rare behaviour?
on a distribution curve any behaviour that is 2 or more standard deviations from the mean behaviour is statisitically rare
What is meant by statistically rare behaviour?
any behaviour that is 2 or more standard deviations away form the mean behaviour
Where on the distribution curve does it show rare behaviour?
any behaviour 2 or more standard deviations on the X axis away from the mean
What is a strength of Statistical infrequency?
it has practical application
How does statistical infrequency have practical application?
we can use it in clinical practice as apart of diagnosis and assessing the severity of symptoms
Give an example of where statistical infrequency has shown practical application
diagnosis of intellectual disability disorders requires an IQ of below 70 (bottom 2%)
What is a weakness of statistical infrequency?
Doesn’t differentiate between desirable and undesirable behaviour
What is meant by can’t differentiate between desirable and undesirable behaviour?
behaviour that is statistically rare is automatically classed as abnormal rather than looking at the context
How might statistical infrequency look at high IQ?
Statistical infrequency- abnormal/ undesirable
Social roles- desirable
If statistical infrequency cant differentiate between desirable and undesirable behaviour, what does this suggest about SI as a definition of abnormality?
it can never be used solely to make a diagnosis and treatment plan
CBA
B & E
Self attitudes
Self actualisation
Resistance to stress
Autonomy
Reality
Mastery of environment
What 3 definitions of abnormality are present in this scenario?
Statistical infrequency
Failing to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
What part of this scenario shows statistical infrequency?
Agoraphobia affects 1% of adults in the UK
What part of the scenario shows failing to function adequately?
May not be able to leave the house, may not be able to look outside, maybe perceiving threats everywhere
What part of the scenario shows deviation from ideal mental?
Very stressful for the individual, prevent sufferers from living a normal life and achieving their full potential
Why is Angus showing failing to function adequately?
Angus can’t leave the house without checking the lights are switched off which makes him late for work, meaning he is failing to keep up with daily expectations of life i.e. being on time for work
