Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

Name the 4 definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

• Deviation from social norms
• Failure to function adequately
• Statistical infrequency
• Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

Reword/simplify ‘deviation from social norms’

Answer 2

Deviating from/Going against acceptable ways of behaving

Question 3

What are the two categories for the rules of behaviour?

Answer 3

• Implicit

- Explicit

Question 4

Define ‘implicit and ‘explicit’

Answer 4

• Implicit rules of behaviour are unspoken

- Explicit rules are defined by law

Question 5

Finish the PEE paragraph: A strength of using DFSN is that it takes into account the effect of an individual’s beh.

Answer 5

• Takes into account the effect of an individual’s behaviour
• e.g. If it damages others
• DFSN recognises importance of structure in society

Question 6

Finish the PEE paragraphs for 2 limitations of DFSN (1) Different cultures have different norms (2) social norms can be influenced by majority/authority

Answer 6

(1) E=Arranged marriages. E=Cultures mislabeled as abnormal

(2) E=Once, in China, glasses–> traitor. P=Norms can be created for a political purpose not abnormal

Question 7

What does failure to function adequately mean?

Answer 7

Not being able to manage everyday tasks

Question 8

To ‘diagnose’ an individual with failing to function adequately, what is the criteria?

Answer 8

• Dysfunctional behaviour

- Observer discomfort (distress caused to others)

Question 9

One strength of ‘failure to function adequately’ as a definition of abnormality is that it is easy to judge… (PEE)

Answer 9

P=Easy to judge. E=Provides a practical checklist of criteria for an individual to assess themselves. P=Quicker for individuals to get treatment.

Question 10

Finish PEE for two limitations of ‘failure to function adequately’ (1) Some think they’re coping well but other s disagree (2) It’s context dependent

Answer 10

(1) E=Bird phobia; staying away=coping and not coping. P=Causes confusion
(2) E=Bereavement/exam stress can cause FFA. E=Misidentified, actually a normal response

Question 11

What can you see on a statistical infrequency curve?

Answer 11

• Normal beh.=clustered around mean (central group)

- Abnormal beh.=extremes of the curve

Question 12

Finish PEE: One strength of ‘statistical infrequency’ as a definition of abnormality is that it has real life applications

Answer 12

E=All assessments of mental illness patients inc. measurement of symptom severity compared to stat. norms
E= SI is a useful part of clinical assessment

Question 13

One limitation of statistical infrequency is that behaviours can be rare in one culture and common in others.
Finish this PEE paragraph

Answer 13

E=Hearing God’s voice is either infrequent OR a gift

E=Can’t have a universal norm, ignores the qualities of other cultures

Question 14

One limitation of statistical infrequency is that statistical norms change over time because they’re related to social norms.
Finish this PEE paragraph

Answer 14

E=50 years ago, rare to find certain aged unmarried adults. Now, number of marriages per year is declining
E=Married couples will become the statistical infrequency, labeled as abnormal

Question 15

What do the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health to do? (2)

Answer 15

• To behave appropriately

- To lead a happy life

Question 16

What are the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health?

PARARA

Answer 16

• Positive view of yourself (high self-esteem)
• Actualisation
• Resistance to stress
• Autonomy
• Realistic perception of the world
• Ability to adapt to the demands of the environment

Question 17

What is actualisation/self-actualisation?

Answer 17

Being motivated to develop and reach full potential

Question 18

Who identified the 6 characteristics of ideal mental health?

Answer 18

Jahoda

Question 19

One limitation of deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH) is that it is not an accurate definition of abnormality.
Finish this PEE paragraph

Answer 19

E=Suggests most are abnormal, very few people have all 6

E=Abnormal is unusual but if most are abnormal that makes them normal. NOT EFFECTIVE IN IDENTIFYING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR

Question 20

One limitation of DIMH is that it is based on the Western view of ‘ideal mental health’.
Finish this PEE paragraph

Answer 20

E=Actualisation (idea of improving yourself) is applicable in Western societies concerned with individuals. Society based cultures aren’t concerned with this
E= Other cultures classed as abnormal

Question 21

One strength of DIMH is that it offers a positive approach to identifying mental illness.
Finish this PEE paragraph

Answer 21

E=Stresses the positive aspects of of being ‘normal’/what is desirable rather than what’s abnormal/undesirable
E=More ethical way of approaching mental health