Introduction to Abnormality Flashcards
What is abnormality?
An undesirable state producing severe impairment to a person’s social and personal functioning, often causing anguish.
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
Deviation from social norms.
Failure to function adequately.
Deviation from ideal mental health.
Statistical infrequency.
What are social norms?
(Deviation from Social Norms)
Standards of behaviour that are regarded as acceptable within a given society.
Behaviour that does not follow accepted social patterns, or unwritten social rules. Such violation is considered abnormal.
These norms vary from culture to culture and from era to era.
Give an example of someone who would deviate from social norms. Why?
(Deviation from Social Norms)
E.g. Someone with an anti-social personality.
They may lack conscience and behave aggressively towards people because they experience little/no guilt.
What is failure to function adequately?
(Failure to Function adequately)
A model of abnormality based on an inability to cope with day-to-day life caused by psychological discomfort.
Within a society there are expectations about how people should live; FTFA suggests these are broken.
Someone suffering from the distress of FTFA may do what?
(Failure to Function adequately)
Seek help from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
Who identified the 7 abnormal characteristics of FTFA? When?
(Failure to Function adequately)
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989).
State Rosenhan and Seligman’s (1989) 7 abnormal characteristics for FTFA.
(Failure to Function adequately)
Suffering.
Maladaptiveness.
Vividness and unconventionality.
Unpredictability and loss of control.
Irrationality and incomprehensibility.
Observer discomfort.
Violation of moral and ideal standards.
Outline and give and example of ‘suffering’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
Most abnormal individuals report that they are suffering (sense of loss).
E.g. Grief at the loss of a loved one.
Outline and give and example of ‘maladaptiveness’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
Prevents an individual from achieving their life goals; working with other/having relationships.
E.g. Remaining friendly when someone is hostile.
Outline and give and example of ‘vividness and unconventionality’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
Refers to the way that abnormal individuals behave in certain situations e.g. eccentrics.
E.g. Removing ones clothing to sunbathe.
Outline and give and example of ‘unpredictability and loss of control’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
Display inappropriate/uncontrolled behaviour.
E.g. Laughing at an inappropriate time e.g. during a funeral.
Outline and give and example of ‘irrationality and incomprehensibility’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
Not always clear why an abnormal individuals behave in certain ways.
E.g. Disregard for one’s own safety (taking part in extreme sports).
Outline and give and example of ‘observer discomfort’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
When we see the unspoken rules of social behaviour being broken; tends to reflect cultural differences.
E.g. Tattooing and body piercing.
Outline and give and example of ‘violation of moral and ideal standards’.
(Rosenhan and Seligman’s 7 abnormal FTFA characteristics)
(Failure to Function adequately)
When someone goes against the moral solution within a situation, these may be outdated depending on the time-period.
E.g. Losing one’s temper.
