definitions of abnormality Flashcards
4 definitions of abnormality
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequately
- statistical infrequency
- deviation from ideal mental health
what is statistical infrequency (as a definition for abnormality) ?
- when a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically rare in society
what is standard deviation ?
a measure of dispersion which shows the extent to which values in a data set differ from the mean
strength of statistical infrequency
- it is an objective measure of abnormality (since data used is real & unbiased) which compares favourably with the other 3 definitions for abnormality which are subjective
give 2 weaknesses of statistical infrequency
- it fails to distinguish between rare desirable & rare undesirable behaviour & doesn’t include the severity & frequency of an individual’s symptoms (so doesn’t recognise each individual’s unique experience)
- someone has to decide on a cut-off point for abnormality making statistical infrequency, to an extent, subjective
example of a rare desirable behaviour
IQ over 130
example of a common undesirable behaviour
depression
give an example of why we have to decide on a cut-off point for abnormal behaviours
we can only administer treatment to a limited number of individuals so we must choose those who we believe are in need of it most
what is deviation from social norms
when a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it doesn’t conform to social norms set by a particular society/culture (i.e. anti-social/socially undesirable behaviours)
what are social norms
- implicit/explicit standards of acceptable behaviours, values & beliefs
- set by the social group for its members (e.g. morals & expectations of how people should think)
why do social norms exist
to maintain social order
give 2 examples of types of social norms
- social norms on etiquette
- social norms on more serious moral issues (e.g. what is acceptable in sexual behaviour)
give an example of an individual who deviates from social norms
an individual with antisocial personality disorder
give 3 characteristics of an individual with antisocial personality disorder
impulsivity, aggressiveness & irresponsibleness
give a strength for deviation from social norms (as a definition for abnormality)
most mental disorders involve some social deviance (e.g. social phobia & major depressive disorder)
why do social phobics deviate from social norms ?
they are scared of social situations so try their best to avoid such happenings
give 2 limitations for deviations from social norms (as a definition of abnormality)
- cultural relativism is present leading to the discrimination of people from different cultures/subcultures due to differential diagnosis rates
- it is too much of a surface definition (as it over-emphasises the importance of observable behaviour which subsequently de-emphasises what is going on inside individuals)
why is cultural relativism present in definitions for abnormality ?
classification systems (e.g. the DSM) are usually based on the dominant culture in the West so the same criteria (e.g. Western social norms) is applied to different subcultures in the West
what is the dominant culture in the West ?
white middle-class individuals
what did Cochrane (1977) find about the differential diagnosis rates due to cultural relativism ?
what did Cochrane (1977) find about the differential diagnosis rates due to cultural relativism ?
what is failure to function adequately (as a definition for abnormality) ?
behaviour that causes personal distress/anguish or an ability to cope with the demands of everyday life (e.g. eating regularly, keeping up with hygiene, maintaining friendships etc.)
what did Rosenhan & Seligman propose regarding failure to function adequately (as a definition for abnormality) ?
7 characteristics of abnormal behaviour
what 7 characteristics of abnormal behaviour did Rosenhan & Seligman propose which are related to failure to function adequately (as a definition for abnormality) ?
- suffering
- maladaptive behaviour
- vivid & unconventional behaviour
- unpredictable & uncontrolled behaviour
- irrational & incomprehensible behaviour
- observer discomfort (due to one’s behaviour)
- violation of moral & ideal standards
why may an individual with major depressive disorder fail to function adequately ?
due to apathy & inertia, a depressed individual may fail to get up in the morning let alone hold down a job (which may also affect their relationships & family life)
