Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

A definition of abnormality stating: Abnormal behaviour is that which is rare/uncommon

Question 2

What is a strength of statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

It is an objective way of defining abnormality because it uses unbiased statistical data to establish rare behaviours within a population

Question 3

What is a limitation of statistical infrequency?

Answer 3

Some mental health disorders are not statistically rare - depression, anxiety

Question 4

Whats a limitation of statistical infrequency 2?

Answer 4

It fails to account for behaviours that are statistically rare and desirable (like a high IQ)

Question 5

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

Abnormal behaviour is that which goes against unwritten rules/expectations in a given society/culture

Question 6

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 6

The way in which the function and meaning of a behaviour is relative to specific cultural setting

Question 7

What is a strength of deviation from social norms?

Answer 7

This norm considers age so a child having a tantrum would not be abnormal but an adult would

Question 8

What is a limitation of deviation from social norms?

Answer 8

Norms vary with time: homosexuality was deemed illegal until 1967 but is now no longer deemed ‘abnormal’ in our society today

Question 9

What is another limitation of deviation from social norms?

Answer 9

Norms vary across cultures and that there is no universal agreement on one thing

Question 10

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 10

Abnormal behaviour is that which causes a person distress or an inability to cope with everyday

Question 11

What did Rosenhan and Seligman suggest about dysfunction?

Answer 11

Suggested possible features of dysfunction for example:
- Maladaptive behaviour - behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals
- Irrationality - displaying behaviour that cannot be explained in a rational way
- Observer discomfort - behaviour that causes discomfort to others
- Unpredictability - displaying unexpected behaviours

Question 12

What is a strength of failure to function adequately?

Answer 12

It focuses on the individuals experience

Question 13

What is a limitation of failure to function adequately?

Answer 13

Some abnormal behaviours do not accompany failure to function - Harold Shipman did not display any features of dysfunction, showing that this definition alone is not sufficient enough to determine if a person’s behaviour is abnormal

Question 14

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 14

Abnormality is that which fails to meet prescribed criteria for psychological normality/wellbeing

Question 15

What were the six key features Marie Jahoda suggested that define mental health?

Answer 15

PRAISE

Positive attitude towards self
Resistance to stress
Accurate perception of reality
Independent
Self-actualisation
Environmental mastery

Question 16

What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 16

This definition could be praised for providing comprehensive criteria for mental health

Question 17

What is a limitation of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 17

A limitation of this is that the criteria is too demanding and too specific so if someone doesn’t fall under these criteria they are not classified

Question 18

What is another limitation of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 18

It has ethnocentric criteria that could be problematic because it could lead to non-western cultures being labelled as ‘abnormal’