Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from social norms
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- Failure to function adequately
What is meant by statistical infrequency?
A persons trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it’s rare or statistically unusual (schizophrenia is rare and effects about 1% of the population).
Any persons measurement which falls outside a defined field (2 standard deviations away from the mean) are classed as abnormal.
If the point is:
A strength of the statistical infrequency explanation is that the objectivity that this definition gives allows for an impartial and fair assessment of abnormality.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Explanation- Building a ‘cut off’ point for abnormality allows practitioners to see if the behaviour is statistically rare.
Evidence- For example, an IQ of 70 means normal and an IQ of 68 is abnormal. It can also help if you get a defining score on a depression test.
Link- Overall, this improves the reliability of diagnosis, as conditions will not be subject to medical opinion or doctor’s subjective perceptions.
If the point is:
A weakness of the statistical infrequency explanation is that it could be easily argued that abnormality is not this ‘black and white’, and that abnormality is subject to different gradations.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- For example, the difference between an IQ score of 68 and 73 is practically non existent, but this definition says it’s massive.
Explanation- If you don’t meet the ‘cut off’ point, you may not get given treatment, such as if a score of over 30 means you have depression and you get a score of 29.
Link- This implies that categorising abnormality as ‘abnormal’ or ‘normal’ ignores the grey area of abnormality and it could be argued that abnormality should follow the example of autism, whereby all individuals are placed on the same spectrum, not in opposing categories.
If the point is:
A strength of the statistical infrequency explanation is that it has useful practical applications.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- With IQ, if someone had a very low IQ score, the necessary requirements could be put in place to help them manage and succeed in education. Likewise, a high depression score will lead to treatment for that disorder.
Explanation- An IQ of less than 70 is statistically rare and therefore the abnormality cut off makes it easier to see and diagnose.
Link- This suggests that there’s potential benefits to society of using this definition to classify abnormality.
If the point is:
A weakness of the statistical infrequency explanation is that not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent and rare, creating problems for this definition.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- For example, depression can be considered to be a common behaviour, with around 20% suffering from a depressive episode at some point in their life. Despite this, a medicated approach is often an effective approach in treating these episodes.
Explanation- Failure to categorise depression as ‘abnormal’ may prevent effective treatment strategies from being employed, prolonging the sufferer’s experience.
Link- This implies that the definition may not be useful in treating abnormal behaviours, as it requires categories and a non medicated approach.
What is meant by deviation from social norms?
Behaviour is abnormal if it goes against what most people in society would consider acceptable.
In order to judge what is abnormal behaviour, people consider what the norms in their society are, and then any behaviours which deviate from these are considered abnormal.
Two types:
- Situation norms- acceptable behaviour in a situation
- Developmental norms- acceptable behaviour at certain age
If the point is:
A strength of the deviation from social norms definition is that it takes into account different types of norms; in this case situational and developmental norms.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Explanation- Therefore, it could be argued to have a more holistic approach to defining abnormality.
Evidence- For example, situational norms like queuing or developmental norms like age specific behaviours (babies with dummies), when these are violated it looks abnormal.
Link- This could imply that it takes into account more, therefore leading to a better judgement.
If the point is:
A weakness of the deviation from social norms definition is that the subjectivity of it limits its usefulness.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Explanation- Social norms could be argued to be in the eye of the beholder, with huge differences between what an individual believes to be a norm.
Evidence- For example, not all British citizens will place huge emphasis on the importance of queuing, yet it’s seen as a cornerstone of British society.
Link- This subjectivity doesn’t allow for a fair and equal assessment of what it abnormal and normal, unlike the statistical infrequency definition.
If the point is:
A strength of the deviation from social norms definition is that it allows society/ therapists to intervene when necessary, due to society setting the standards of its own expected behaviour and abnormality.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- If an individual responds with major anxiety to sparrows, they could receive CBT or systematic desensitisation.
Explanation- This allows you intervene because you can see it and know the social norms.
Link- Therefore, this definition has practical applications for society, helping the vulnerable and the abnormal by intervening on their behalf.
If the point is:
A weakness of the deviation from social norms definition is that there are issues around the concept of social norms.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Explanation- Aside from the question of who decides these levels of societal normality, these norms change throughout time.
Evidence- For example, homosexuality was regarded as a psychotic illness until 1973, but no longer is.
Link- Hence, it could be argued that this definition of abnormality is era dependent.
What is meant by deviation from ideal mental health?
Behaviour is abnormal if a person deviates too far from the expected state of ideal mental health.
Rather than attempting to define abnormality it tries to define ideal mental health.
What were Jahoda’s 6 main characteristics of ideal mental health?
- Positive attitudes towards oneself- experiencing personal growth and development.
- Accurate perception of reality- Having an objective and realistic view.
- Autonomy- Being independent, self reliant and able to make personal decisions.
- Resisting stress (integration)- Resisting and coping with stress by combining psychological wellbeing with personal growth.
- Self actualisation- Having self respect and a positive self attitude (good self esteem).
- Environmental mastery- Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation (being flexible).
If the point is:
A strength of the deviation from ideal mental health definition is that it could be argued to be refreshingly positive.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Explanation- While other definitions have more focus on deficits and negative aspects of the human condition, this approach looks at what it takes to achieve perfect mental health.
Evidence- This definition may give hope to people that they can work towards goals rather than seeing themselves as ‘failing’.
Link- Therefore, the definition is a positive and optimistic definition of abnormality.
If the point is:
A weakness of the deviation from ideal mental health definition is that the criteria to achieve ideal mental health is very idealistic and suggests that the majority of people are considered abnormal by the standards suggested.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- For example, humanism suggests that very few people in society will achieve self actualisation, a key part of achieving ideal mental health.
Explanation- It may be that this definition needs to be more realistic to most of society for it to be an affective analysis of abnormality.
Link- This could imply that standards for mental health are too unrealistic.
