the 4Ds of abnormality

Question 1

what are the 4ds of abnormality

Answer 1

deviance
distress
danger
dysfunction

Question 2

what is deviance

Answer 2

deviate from social norms not behaving how you are expected
statistical deviance behaviour deviates from normal distribution

Question 3

what is distress

Answer 3

behaviour is upsetting to individual and/or those around them

Question 4

what is danger

Answer 4

the individuals behaviour is a threat to themselves or someone else

Question 5

what is dysfunction

Answer 5

not able to cope with demands of life

Question 6

weaknesses of the 4ds as a whole

Answer 6

:( timothy davies thinks there should be another d ‘duration’ many things meet the 4ds but only if they last are they abnormal
:( thomas szasz suggests this is social control we take behaviours which we don’t like and diagnose as mental illness

Question 7

strength and weakness of distress

Answer 7

:( not all distress is sign of a mental illness e.g. bereavement -> subjective
:) considers quality of life/wellbeing of patient so it can be improved

Question 8

strength and weakness of dysfunction

Answer 8

:( reductionist as it ignores circumstances behind behaviour
:) considers patients well being -> can use this to help patients cope with demands of daily life

Question 9

strength and weakness of danger

Answer 9

:( not all dangerous behaviour is a sign of mental illness e.g. speeding
:) can be objective a dangerous behaviour is easy to identify

Question 10

strength and weakness of deviance

Answer 10

:( different cultures have different social norms difficult to tell whats deviant
:) statistical cut off for deviant behaviour -> objective