Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
Statistical Infrequency
Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic like being less intelligent than most of population. Eg: IQ & intellectual disability disorder.
What happens when IQ below 70?
2% have that score. Intellectual disability disorder.
Deviation from Social Norms
Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in society.
Norms are specific to the culture we live in
Social norms may be different for each generation and every culture: homosexuality is only abnormal is some cultures.
Strength
Statistical definition has real life application in diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder. Therefore a place for statistical infrequency in thinking about what’s normal and abnormal behaviours. Assessment of patients with mental disorders includes measuring how severe the symptoms are as compared to statistical norms.
Weakness
IQ above 130 is unusual but doesn’t mean they have to be returned to normal. It is good when IQ above 130 as you are super intelligent. Limitation to the concept of SI and means that it would never be used alone to make a diagnosis.
Weakness
If someone had low IQ but was capable of working, they wouldn’t need a diagnosis of intellectual disability. If labelled abnormal, then this is a -ve effect on how others view them and how they view themselves.
Strength
Deviation from social norms has real life application in diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Therefore a place for deviation from social norms in thinking about what is normal and abnormal.
Weakness
Social norms vary highly from one generation to another. A person from one cultural group may label someone from another culture as behaving abnormally according to their standards rather than the standards of the person behaving that way. Creates problems.
