definitions of abnormaility

Question 1

what are the four definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

• deviation from ideal mental health
• statistical infrequency
• failure to function adequately
• deviation from social norms

Question 2

what is meant by statistical infrequency

Answer 2

infrequent and rare behaviour is considered abnormal by looking at the statistics of normal distribution ( showing the spread of data) the behaviours that are at the extreme ends of the the distribution are considered abnormal because they are infrequent

Question 3

advantages for the statistical infrequency definition

Answer 3

• objective - not influenced by personal experiences or opinions
  it has clear guidelines and cut of points that are decided numerically .
  This means that different mental health workers can all view the same kind of behavior in the same kind of way using this standardized measurement -this reduces subjectivity

Question 4

limitiation for statistical infrequency definition

Answer 4

• it could define someone as abnormal even though they are not psychologically unwell eg Albert eisnten, some abnormal behavior is considered desirable, this explanation be limited as it can view healthy behavior as abnormal
• it misses and excluded some disorders as some disorders aren’t considered rare eg depression on a normal distribution we can argue that we may have to be caution when using this explanation of abnormality and perhaps shouldn’t be used on its own when making a diagnosis as it could miss key , infrequent mental health disorders

Question 5

define what is meant by ‘deviation from social norm’

Answer 5

behaviour that is not socially acceptable is considered abnormal
breaking societal expectations

Question 6

the norms can be either…

Answer 6

explicit - sometimes these are written laws which govern behaviour

• implicit - these norms of behaviour are unwritten but are gernally accepted , offer someone tea when you they come as a guest

Question 7

advantages of deviation of social norms as an explanation for abormality

Answer 7

• it is flexible as what is considered normal is adapted to what societal norms are and not by a strict number
  more useful

Question 8

disadvantages of deviation of social norms as an explanation for abormality

Answer 8

due to flexible nature of adapting to societal norms it has a subjective nature , it is less objective that SI
This definition can be seen as less accurate as it is open to opinions and interpretation

because this definition of abnormality is based on what societal norms deem as acceptable it can differ from culture to culture, therefore this explanation can be questioned as it leads to cultural bias (Fernando 1998) afro car ppl x7 sz

therefore this explanation ca n be seen as limited when using the societal norms (ethnocentrism) as problems can arise across different cultures when comparing it to another culture and not taking into account the others culture needs - afro (religoius visions - halluncinations)

Question 9

what is meant by ‘failure to function adequately’

Answer 9

when someone is unable to cope with the demand of everyday life

Question 10

Researchers involved in failure to function adequeately explanation and some criteria

Answer 10

Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)
-deicded on criteria to determine when someone is not coping eg

• personal distress
• irrational behavior that can be become dangerous to themselves or others

Question 11

strengths of failure to function adequately

Answer 11

• it takes into account an individuals personal subjective experiences , it acknowledges the experience of an individual which other explanations such as statistical infrequency fail to do

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Question 12

disadvantages of failure to function adequately as an explanaiton of abnormality

Answer 12

• many forms of abnormality do not stop people from functioning in their everyday life

there are criminals that commit crimes and are still able tolive functional lives, such as ted bundy, jefferey dahmer eventhough their behaviours are abnormal under this definition their abnormalities would go undiagnosed

Question 13

devaition from ideal mental health

Answer 13

behavior is abnormal when there is there is a lack ideal characteristics

Question 14

Researcher who proposed deviation from ideal mental health and some examples of the criteria involved

Answer 14

Jahoda (1958)
- we use ideals to classify normality eg normal body temperature and deviations mean that there are illness - she used this concept to create DEVIATION’S from specific ideals
A accurate perception of reality
S - self actualisation - fuffiling potentional and experience eprsonal growuth
P - postiive attitude to one self - high self esteem
E- environmeal mastery - able to meet the varying needs of everyday life
A - autonomy can make your own decisions

Question 15

limitations of deviation from ideal mental health as an explanation for abnormality

Answer 15

• unrealistic high standards - it would be incredibly difficult for an individual to continuously meet this criteria all at once or maintain it
  if an individual can therefore meet all of this are they considered abnormal?

These ideas of ideal mental health are based on a n ideal westernised individualistic cultures

Jahodas emphasis on growth and personal autonomy has a individualistic standpoint westernized and not collectivist cultures
This study may therefore be more appropriately used in the culture it was created