Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

Statistical infrequency

Answer 1

• Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic
• for example being more depressed or less intelligent than most of the population

Question 2

Deviation from the social norms

Answer 2

-Sees any behaviour which differs from that which society expects as abnormal
- these are passed on through socialisation. Any behaviour which breaks these rules is seen as abnormal

Question 3

Failure to function adequately

Answer 3

Abnormality judged as inability to deal with the demands of everyday living

Question 4

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

Absence of signs of good mental health used to judge abnormality

Question 5

Problem with deviation from social norms definition

Answer 5

Social norms depend on culture and this can change over time or cultures

Question 6

Indicators of failure to function adequately

Answer 6

• own personal distress and anxiety
• causes distress for others (observer discomfort)
• stops them from working
• stops them from being hygienic
• causing themselves or others harm
• behaviour is maladaptive, irrational, or dangerous

Question 7

Jahoda (1958) criteria for deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 7

• accurate perception of reality
• positive attitude to him/herself (self-esteem)
• self actualisation - reach potential
• resistance to stress
• environmental mastery
• be independent of the other people (autonomy)

Question 8

A lack of cultural relativism =

Answer 8

Ethnocentric

Question 9

Individualistic culture

Answer 9

Where they put the self as more important than others/groups

Question 10

Collectivist culture

Answer 10

Where the groups needs come above their own needs

Question 11

Limitation of statistical infrequency

Answer 11

Doesn’t help distinguish between desirable & undesirable behaviours

Question 12

Strength of statistical infrequency

Answer 12

Appropriate measure in certain circumstances

Question 13

Limitation of deviation from social norms

Answer 13

Social norms change over time

Question 14

Strength of deviation from the social norms

Answer 14

Does distinguish between desirable & undesirable behaviours

Question 15

Limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 15

Requires an objective judgement of a way to live

Question 16

Strength of failure to function adequately

Answer 16

Takes into account the patients subjective perspective

Question 17

Limitation of deviation from the ideal mental health

Answer 17

Sets high standards of mental health —> might not be achievable

Question 18

Strength of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 18

Focuses on the positives not the negatives

Question 19

Does Jahoda focus on positives or negatives

Answer 19

Positives (positive attitudes)

Question 20

Cultural relativism

Answer 20

The idea that one cannot judge behaviour properly unless it is viewed in the cultural context from which it originated

Question 21

Strength for statistical deviation

Answer 21

It is an appropriate measure in certain circumstances

Question 22

Limitations for statistical deviation

Answer 22

• lack of cultural relativism
• doesn’t help distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours

Question 23

Strength for deviation from social norms

Answer 23

Appropriate because it distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviours

Question 24

Limitations for deviation from social norms

Answer 24

• lack of cultural relativism
• social norms over time change, therefore not being consistent across time

Question 25

Strength for failure to function adequately

Answer 25

It takes into account the patient’s subjective perspective

Question 26

Limitations for failure to function adequately

Answer 26

• lack of cultural relativism
• it requires an objective judgement of a way to live

Question 27

Strength for deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 27

It focuses on the positives rather than the negatives

Question 28

Limitations for deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 28

• lack of cultural relativism
• it sets high standards for mental health which may be unachievable for most people