Reasons For Abnormality

Question 1

What are the 4 reasons for abnormality?

Answer 1

1) Deviation from social normals
2) Failure to function adequately
3) Deviation from ideal mental health
4) Statistical infrequency

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

Abnormal behaviour which goes against the unwritten rules of society.

Question 3

What are limitations of deviation to social norms?

Answer 3

• Societies social norms may change over time (Homosexuality considered mental health issue until 1990)
• Sometimes, it’s beneficial to break social norms (suffragettes)
• Deviation from social norms doesn’t mean the person has a mental health issue (naturists)

Question 4

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 4

Abnormal behaviour that causes inability to cope with everyday tasks

Question 5

What are the 7 features of personal dysfunction and who created them?

Answer 5

Roseham and Selingman:
1- personal distress
2- maladaptive behaviour
3- observer discomfort
4- irrationality
5- unpredictability 
6- violation of moral standards 
7- unconventionality

Question 6

What are the limitations of failure to function adequately?

Answer 6

• Sometimes a time in one’s life where it is acceptable to feel personal distress
• Abnormal behaviour is not always accompanied by dysfunction (psychopaths- Harold Shipman)
• dysfunctional behaviour and observer discomfort may not be personally distressing for the person themselves (Stephen Grough)

Question 7

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 7

Abnormal behaviour that fails to meet the prescribed criteria for psychological activity.

Question 8

What are the 6 characteristics one must have in order to be classified as normal?

Answer 8

Jahoda:
1- Positive attitude towards oneself
2- Self-actualisation
3- autonomy
4- Resistance to stress
5- accurate perception of reality
6- Environmental mastery

Question 9

What are the limitations of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 9

• Characteristics are subject to cultural relativism
• Criteria is too unrealistic and demanding (person may not always feel personal growth)
• Too vague/ difficult to measure therefore subjective (How do you know when personal has reached maximum potential?)

Question 10

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 10

When a persons behaviour is considered abnormal if it is statistically rare.

Question 11

What are the limitations of statistical infrequency?

Answer 11

• Doesn’t account for the behaviour that is statically rare but desirable
• Some psychological disorders aren’t rare but are still important (27% depression amounts the old)
• Has no bearing on normality or abnormality (e.g. being left-handed)