Definitions-EVAL Flashcards
(12 cards)
One strength of statistical infrequency defniiton is that it’s used by psychiatrists. An IQ of <70 is only found in 2% population and leads to a diagnosis of “Intellectual disability disorder.”
This a strength as it means the definition can be used in real LIFE rather than just theoretical. Gives an idea of where they are on a statistical scale would could indicate the SEVERITY of the problem.
Useful as it can be APPLIED irl and be used in clinical assessment.
One problem with SI is that it judges both ends of the normal distribution as abnormal which may not be the case.
Society may not judge these in the same way as some behaviours seen at the end of a distribution may be seen a a POSITIVE e.g. high IQ = genius and may NOT be seen as abnormal and need treatment, but instead DESIRABLE.
Therefore this is an issue as it may MISJUDGE people at the ends of distribution as being abnormal and possibly needing intervention. For this reason it wouldn’t be used ALONE to make a diagnosis as people may not NEED treatment for some statistically infrequent behaviour as they may be GOOD.
A strength of SI is that those who are statistically rare may BENEFIT from being classed as abnormal.
Someone with a low IQ can now access SUPPORT. However it means these people may be LABELLED which is no benefit to them. This is an issue as it may lead to a SOCIAL STIGMA which would have a NEGATIVE effect on the person.
one strength of deviation from SN is it’s USEFULNESS
It can be used in CLINICAL practise. The key defining characteristics of antisocial personality disorder is the failure to form to culturally normal ethic behaviour e.g. recklessness, aggression, violating the rights of others.
The norm is to NOT engage in this behaviour, therefore those who do are DEVIATING from the norms and so the definition criterion has VALUE in psychiatry.
One provlem with social norms is that they may VARY from culture to culture
This is an issue as hearing voices in africa =talking to the dead but in Britian it’s a symptom of mental illness e.g. Schiz
Therefore if we take a definition and use it in another culture it becomes an IMPOSED ETIC, and we may MISJUDGE behaviour as being normal or abnormal due to according it to the WRONG social norms for that culture.
This could lead to INACUURATE judgements, for people from one culture living in another as they would be judged by the norms that were NOT applicable to them.
Anothe rissue is that social norms may VARY over time and we not be using the CORRECT ones.
Homosexuality is NOT viewed in the same way it was in the 60’s as norms have CHANGED. Therefore we could make INACCURATE judgement on abnormality bc we could judge ppl on norms that are NO longer appropriate and call them ABNORMAL if we are not aware of CHANGES in social norms.
This is therefore a problem bc it would mean that deviation from social norms definition could be used to make WRONG judgement about normality or abnormality if we don’t KEEP UP with social norms of THE TIME.
One strength of FTFA definition is that it represents SENSIBLE criteria for when people need professional help.
Most ppl have symptoms of a mental disorder to some degree at some time, we keep going but if we fail to function adequately then this is a good INDICATION that referral for HELP may be needed.
Therefore this means that it is an EFFECTIVE definition which can be used to get people the HELP that they need.
One problem is that it may label NON standard lifestyle choices as ABNORMAL
E.g. new age travellers don’t live in permanent accoms and might not work but it doesn’t mean they can’t function and that they have an abnormality which needs treating. Base jumpers take part in extreme sport which could be seen as a ‘danger to themselves’ but it’s just a lifestyle choice.
Therefore, we are at risk of LABELLING people as abnormal, and as a result their freedom of choice may be restricted.
The FTFA definition involves applying criteria such as ‘distress’ or ‘unconventional behaviour’ which SUBJECTIVE
Psychiatrist making the judgment is making a SUBJECTIVE decision and may disagree with other psychs who are making the SAME case diagnosis. This could be a problem as there isn’t CONSISTENCY or RELIABILITY between judgements being made by psychiatrists.
Issue as we could be making INACCURATE judgements for some people with regards to normality or abnormality based on a BIASED subjective opinion on the criteria.
one strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that the criteria is highly comprehensive as it includes a RANGE of criteria and covers most of the reason why we may seek help with mental health.
This means individual mental health can be discussed MEANINGFULLY with a range of professionals who may take different views.
Therefore it’s a strength as it provides a COMPREHENSIVE checklist by which we can ASSESS ourselves and others and discuss issues with a range of professionals.
One problem with the DIMH definition is that it was devised in a western individualistic culture where ‘self-actualisation’ and independence are IMPORTANT goals
There are OTHER cultures (collectivist) where these are not important values, and instead focus is on being a useful member of a GROUP.
This is an issue as if we try to use it on OTHER cultures it becomes an IMPOSED ETIC which means it can ONLY be relevant to the culture it was DESIGNEE in and won’t TRANSFER well to others.
This will be a problem bc we could make INACCURATE judgements about ppl from OTHER cultures e.g. collectivist as we are judging them on INDIVIDUALISTIC culture measures of ideal mental health.
one problem with the DIMH definition is that it sets too HIGH standards for mental health
Very few people would be able to meet Jahodas criteria. Therefore this definition says a LARGE number of people have aspects of abnormality. This is an issue because it may OVER exaggerate the number of ppl who have an abnormality not because they actually do but bc the criteria is too HARD to meet.
Therefore this could lead to inaccurate judgements about abnormality and may assume a LOT of people need treatment when they DON’T.
