Psychopathology - definitions of abnormality P1

Question 1

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

1. devaiation from social norms
2. failure to function adequately
3. statistical infrequency
4. devation from ideal mental

Question 2

what is meant by deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

society creates ‘set of rules’ about what behaviour is accepted or expected - individual devotes from social norms - behaviour is abnormal

Question 3

give 2 examples of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

1. laughing at a funeral (implicit)

2. exposing yourself in public (explicit - defined by law)

Question 4

what is a strength of the definition deviation from social norms?

Answer 4

-recognises the structure of society - abnormal behaviours are those that damage others - helps get criminals keeps people safe

Question 5

what is a weakness of the definition deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

-sometimes a lifestyle not a sign of abnormality e.g. becoming vegan - behaviour labelled as abnormal when its not

Question 6

what is meant by the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 6

individual unable to cope with everyday demands of life like eating, washing, going to work - only abnormal if its causing distress to self or others

Question 7

what did rosenhan and seligman suggest about the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

6 features of abnormality - more features present - more abnormal. features include: personal distress, violation of moral and ideal standards

Question 8

what is a strength of the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 8

relatively easy to judge if someone is failing to function - questionnaire - therefore easier for individuals to get treatments if needed

Question 9

what is a weakness of the definition failure to function adequately?

Answer 9

does not take in to account individuals circumstances e.g. individuals experiencing stress because of exams - sometimes completely normal to fail to function

Question 10

what is meant by the definition statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

very rare behaviour = abnormal

measured by normal curve - abnormal people would be at the extreme ends of the curve

Question 11

what is a strength of the definition statistical infrequency?

Answer 11

real-life applications - useful part of clinical assessments o patients in the real world

Question 12

what is a weakness of the definition statistical infrequency? 1

Answer 12

some behaviours identified as abnormal are actually desirable - e.g. having an IQ of over 150- doesn’t help identity which individuals needs treatments

Question 13

what is a weakness of the definition statistical infrequency? 2

Answer 13

some abnormal behaviour is not rare - e.g. depression is quite common therefore not identified as abnormal but these people are in need of help

Question 14

what is meant by the definition deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 14

six characteristics of ideal mental health - if individual doesn’t possess all characteristics - behaviour is abnormal

Question 15

what are the 6 characters of ideal mental health?

Answer 15

1. positive self attitudes
2. self-actualisation
3. resistance to stress
4. independant
5. accurate perception of reality
6. ability to love

Question 16

what is a strength of the definition deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 16

positive approach to identifying mental illnesses - more ethical way of approaching mental health

Question 17

what is a weakness of the definition deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 17

-most people considered abnormal - unrealistic set of 6 characteristics - not useful in identifying abnormal behaviour