psychopathology: definitions of abnormality Flashcards
state the 4 definitions of abnormality
- Statistical infrequency
- Failure to function adequately
- deviation from social norms
- Deviation from ideal mental health
explain statistical infequency
defined as behaviour or characteristics that are rare or
uncommon
Occupies the extreme ends of a normal distribution curve
Uses up-to-date statistics Intellectual disability disorder can be identified using this model. > The average IQ is set at 100, and only 2% of people fall below 70. These individuals may be diagnosed with this disorder as such a low IQ is infrequent.
AO3: SI > desirable vs undesirable
The statistical infrequency definition does not distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours
However, there are many abnormal behaviours that are desirable. For example very few people have an IQ over 150, yet we would not want to suggest that having a high IQ is undesirable. Equally there are some normal behaviours that are
undesirable. For example, experiencing depression is relatively common yet it is undesirable.
WEAKNESS As infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative. This shows that being unusual or at one
end of a psychological spectrum does not necessarily make someone abnormal. Overall, although statistical infrequency can form part of assessment and diagnostic procedures, it is never sufficient
as the sole basis for defining abnormality
AO3: SI > real life application
it has real world application
Statistical infrequency is used in clinical practice, both as part of formal diagnosis and as a way to assess the severity of an individual’s
symptoms. For example a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ of below 70 (bottom 2%). An example of statistical infrequency used in an assessment tool is the is the Beck depression inventory (BDI). A score of 30+ (top 5% of respondents) is widely interpreted as indicating severe depression.
STRENGTH as this shows the value of the statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes. > can be helpful as doctors can treat those with most severe symptoms first
outline deviation from social norms
In society, there are standards of acceptable behaviour that are set by the social group and adhered to by those
socialised into that group.
Anyone who behaves differently from these social norms is
classified as abnormal.
EG: In the past, homosexuality was
classified as abnormal and regarded
as a mental disorder
AO3: social norms > cultural differences
Deviance from social norms is not a complete definition of abnormality
In the UK, hearing voices is an example of hallucinating. Which is seen as abnormal as it deviates from what is seen as acceptable and normal behaviour. But hearing voices may be more acceptable in African cultures due to their belief in communication with their ancestors. Therefore people are more likely to acknowledge and report such experiences.
WEAKNESS because this definition cannot be a complete universal definition used in all cultures. It could also result
in people from other cultures incorrect labelled as abnormal.
AO3: social norms > real life application
Deviation from social norms is used in clinical practice.
For example, the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour such as recklessness, aggression, violating the rights of others. These signs of the disorder are all deviations from social norms.
STRENGTH as this shows how deviation from social norms criterion has value in psychiatry
outline failure to function adequately
If a person is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day-to-day living for example, is unable
to hold down a job, maintain a relationship etc then they could under Rosenhan and Seligman’s definition be considered abnormal.
* Behaviour is maladaptive, irrational or dangerous
* Not functioning must cause distress and suffering to the
individual and/or other people.
AO3: failure to function may be deviation from social norms
:The failure to function adequately definition of abnormality, may simply be deviation from social norms.
This definition suggests if a person is unable to live a normal life adequately for example, is unable to hold down a job, maintain a relationship etc then they could be considered abnormal. However it can be hard to say when someone
is really failing to function and when they are just deviating from social norms. For example, we may think that not having a job or living at a permanent address is a sign of failure to function. But then what do we say about people with alternative lifestyles who choose not to have these things such as New age travellers.
WEAKNESS because if we treat these behaviours as ‘failures’ of adequate functioning, we risk limiting personal freedom
and discriminating against minority groups.
AO3: failure to function adequately > threshold for help
it represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help
According to the mental health charity, The Mind, 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year.
This suggests that most of us have symptoms of mental disorders to some degree at some time.
BUT, many people carry on with day to day tasks in the face of fairly serve symptoms. Failure to function criterion suggests that someone is abnormal when they are unable to cope with day-to-day activities. It tends to be at the point that we cease to function adequately that people seek professional help or are noticed and referred for help by others
STRENGTH as we are able to offer treatment and services to those who need them the most, especially since the current waiting times for
treatment in the UK is months.
outline deviation from ideal mental health
Rather than identifying what is abnormal, Jahoda (1958) identified six characteristics of what is to be normal and an absence of these characteristics indicates abnormality
We are in good mental health if we meet this criteria:
* Self attitudes: positive self esteem and a strong sense of identity
* Personal growth and self actualisation: the extent to which an individual reaches their full potential
* Integration: ability to cope with stress
* Autonomy: being independent
* Having an accurate perception of reality
* Mastery of the environment: including the ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal
relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems
AO3: ideal mental health > unrealistic
The definition of deviation from ideal mental health can be considered unrealistic.
Jahoda identified six categories that described good mental health. However, according to this definition most of us would be considered abnormal. In addition, we do not know how many categories need to be lacking before a person would be judged as
abnormal. Furthermore, the criteria are difficult to measure. For example how easy is it to assess capacity for personal growth or
environmental mastery.
WEAKNESS because it suggests that this approach may be an interesting concept but not really useable when it comes to identifying abnormality.
AO3: ideal mental health > culturally relative
A limitation of this definition is that it may be culturally relative
Most of the criteria on Jahoda’s list is culturally specific to the western world. In particular, the concept of self-actualization would probably be dismissed as self-indulgent in much of the world, and therefore would not be seen as a characteristics of ideal mental health. Additionally, within Europe there is also variation in the value placed on personal independence. For example in Germany, independence is seen as very important but in Italy is it not.
WEAKNESS because the definition of deviation from ideal mental is not a universal one, that can be applied from one culture to another. As
this** can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of abnormality for that culture. **
