The 4 Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

What is Statistical Infrequency?

Answer 1

Behaviour is normal if it occurs frequently; any behaviour that occurs rarely is considered abnormal.

Question 2

How are scores for a particular behaviour distributed?

Answer 2

The majority of scores will cluster around an average; the further we move away from the average, the fewer people will have this score.

Question 3

How is individual behaviour compared to normal behaviour?

Answer 3

Individual behaviour is compared with what the average person does; behaviour only found in a few people is considered abnormal.

Question 4

What is the significance of normal distributions in human characteristics?

Answer 4

Many human characteristics fall into normal distributions, indicating what is considered ‘normal’.

For example, in facing everyday challenges, it is normal to experience some stress; however, being completely fearful or fearless of these tasks is abnormal.

Question 5

What is a strength of Statistical Infrequency?

Answer 5

Statistical infrequency is useful in diagnosis; for example, the Intellectual Disability Disorder requires an IQ to be in the bottom 2%, highlighting how statistical infrequency aids in diagnosis.

Question 6

How does the Beck Depression Inventory relate to Statistical Infrequency?

Answer 6

The BDI assesses depression, and to be diagnosed, one must meet certain statistical infrequency criteria.

Question 7

What is a weakness of Statistical Infrequency?

Answer 7

Unusual characteristics can also be positive; just because behaviour is statistically infrequent doesn’t mean it is abnormal or undesirable.

Question 8

Can high IQ scores be considered abnormal?

Answer 8

IQ scores above 130 are statistically infrequent but are not regarded as undesirable or needing treatment.

Question 9

Can Statistical Infrequency be the sole basis for defining abnormality?

Answer 9

Although statistical infrequency can be part of defining abnormality, it can never be its sole basis.

Question 10

What is deviance?

Answer 10

Behaviour and emotions that deviate from the norm in a society.

Must also be behaviour that is deemed unacceptable by society.

Question 11

What are social norms?

Answer 11

Social norms are created by a group of people and compromise what behaviours are acceptable standards of behaviour.

Question 12

What happens to those who deviate from social norms?

Answer 12

Anyone who behaves differently from social norms is classed as abnormal.

Question 13

Why are social norms important?

Answer 13

These rules are often in place for good reasons, e.g., they oil the wheels of interpersonal relations.

Question 14

How are some rules about unacceptable behaviour enforced?

Answer 14

Some rules are implicit, while others are policed by laws.

Question 15

What is an example of a historical change in social norms?

Answer 15

Homosexuality used to be considered abnormal and a mental disorder, and was against the law in the UK, but this has since changed.

Question 16

What is a strength of using deviation from social norms in diagnosis?

Answer 16

It is useful in diagnosing conditions like antisocial personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.

Question 17

What is a weakness of using social norms for diagnosis?

Answer 17

Social norms are situationally and culturally relative, meaning what is considered abnormal can vary by context.

Question 18

Can you give an example of cultural relativity in social norms?

Answer 18

Hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but seen as abnormal in the UK.

Cultural norms of the patient and clinician need to be considered.

Question 19

What is an example of situational relativity in social norms?

Answer 19

Wearing PJs to school on a fancy dress day is normal, but wearing them every day when others are in uniform is considered abnormal.

Question 20

What does ‘Failure To Function Adequately’ refer to?

Answer 20

Not being able to cope with everyday living, such as eating regularly, going to school, getting dressed, and washing yourself.

Question 21

What are the consequences of not being able to function adequately?

Answer 21

It causes distress and suffering for the individual and/or others around them, such as in cases of schizophrenia.

Question 22

When is the judgment of abnormality considered inappropriate?

Answer 22

When it distresses only others but not the individual, for example, if someone is content wearing unwashed clothes.

Question 23

What organization helps diagnose those who cannot function properly?

Answer 23

The WHODAS organization, which uses a rating system from 1-5 to measure functioning adequacy.

Question 24

What happens when someone is not coping according to Rosehan and Seligman?

Answer 24

They can no longer conform to interpersonal rules, experience severe personal distress, and behave in an irrational or dangerous way.

Question 25

What is a strength of the ‘Failure to Function Adequately’ criteria?

Answer 25

It provides a threshold for professional help, targeting treatment services to those who need them the most.

Question 26

What percentage of people experience symptoms of a mental disorder in any given year?

Answer 26

25% of us experience symptoms of a mental disorder to some degree.

Question 27

What is a weakness of the ‘Failure to Function Adequately’ criteria?

Answer 27

It can lead to discrimination and social control, making it hard to distinguish between failure to function and a conscious choice to deviate from social norms.

Question 28

What is an example of a conscious choice that may be misinterpreted as abnormal?

Answer 28

Choosing to live off-grid or partake in high leisure activities.

Question 29

What did Jahoda (1958) suggest about defining mental illness?

Answer 29

Jahoda suggested that we should define mental illness by looking at the absence of certain criteria, similar to how we define physical illness.

Question 30

What are the criteria for ideal mental health according to Jahoda?

Answer 30

The criteria include:
1. No symptoms or distress.
2. Rational perception of oneself.
3. Self-actualisation.
4. Ability to cope with stress.
5. Realistic view of the world.
6. Good self-esteem and lack of guilt.
7. Independence from others.
8. Ability to work, love, and enjoy leisure.

Question 31

What is a strength of the ideal mental health approach?

Answer 31

The ideal mental health approach is comprehensive, covering a range of criteria for mental health.

Question 32

How does the ideal mental health approach facilitate discussions?

Answer 32

It provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others, allowing meaningful discussions with a range of professionals.

Question 33

What is a weakness of the ideal mental health approach?

Answer 33

It may be culture bound, as some criteria are limited to the USA and Western Europe.

Question 34

Why is self-actualisation considered a limitation in the ideal mental health criteria?

Answer 34

Self-actualisation isn’t recognized in most of the world, making the criteria culturally biased.

Question 35

How does cultural variation affect the ideal mental health criteria?

Answer 35

There are variations in the value placed on independence across cultures, e.g., high value in Germany but low in Italy.