Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
Define statistical infrequency.
When an individual has a statistically uncommon characteristic in comparison to the rest of society.
Give an example of statistical infrequency.
IQ and intellectual disability disorder.
The majority of peoples scores will cluster around the average and the further we go above or below the average, the fewer people will attain that score. This is called the normal distribution. The average IQ is set at 100. In a normal distribution, 68% will have a score in the range 85 to 115. Oly 2% have a score below 70. Those who score below 70 are usually ‘abnormal’ and are liable to receive a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder.
Give a strength of statistical infrequency.
One strength of statistical infrequency is its usefulness. Statistical infrequency is used in clinical practice as a way to assess the severity of an individuals symptoms. All assessment of patients with mental disorders includes some comparison to statistical norms as this makes it more scientific. Statistical infrequency is therefore a useful part of clinical assessment.
Give a limitation of statistical infrequency.
One limitation of statistical infrequency is that unusual characteristics can be positive. If very few people display a behaviour that makes it statistically abnormal but does not mean you need treatment. For example, IQ scores of over 130 are just as usual as those below 70 but not regarded as undesirable and requiring treatment. This is a serious limitation of the concept of statistical infrequency and means it should never be used alone to make a diagnosis.
Define deviation from social norms.
When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave and therefore they would be seen as abnormal. Socieities and social groups make collective judgements about ‘correct’ behaviours. This will be different for each generation, culture etc so relatively few behaviours would be seen as universally abnormal.
Give an example of deviation from social norms.
E.g homosexuality was deemed as abnormal and illegal in some cultures but in others it is totally normal.
Give a strength of deviation from social norms.
One strength of deviation from social norms is its usefulness. For example, the key defining faactor of antisocial personality disorder is the failure to confirm to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour I.e recklessness, aggression, violating the rights of others etc. These signs of the disorder are all deviations from social norms. This shows that the deviation from social norms criterion has value in psychiatry.
Give a limitation of deviation from social norms.
One limitation of deviation from social norms is that social norms are culturally relative. A person from one cultural group may label someone from another group using their standards rathetr than another persons standards. For example, hearing voices is seen as socially acceptable in some cultures though is seen as abnormal in the UK. This can create problems for people living in a different culture from their own.
Define failure to function adequately.
Where a person is considered to be abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of every day life. E.g they are unable to perform the behaviours associated with day-to-day living e.g self care, a job etc. Seligman proposed signs such as when a person struggles to maintain eye contact tor personal space, severe personal distress or becomes dangerous to themselves or others.
Give a strength of failure to function adequately.
One strength of failure to function is that it represents a sensible threshold for when most of us need professional help. It tends to be at the point that we cease to function adequately that we people seek profession help or ar noticed and referred for help by others. This means that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them the most.
Give a limitation of failure to function adequately.
There are some circumstances in which most of us fail to cope for a time e.g bereavement. It may be unfair to give someone a label that may cause them future problems just because they react to different circumstances.
Define deviation from ideal mental health.
Any behaviour that is not regarded as normal as it differs from the perception of normal mental health.
List some of Jahoda’s criteria.
-Positive view of self.
-Capability for growth and development. (Self-actualisation)
-Autonomy
-Accurate perception of reality.
-Positive relationships with friends and family.
-Environmental mastery.
Give a strength of deviation from ideal mental health.
One strength of the definition is that it is comprehensive and covers a broad range of criteria for mental health. It probably covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help. For example not being able to cope with stress or everyday tasks. This large range of factors discussed in Jahoda’s criteria make it a very effective tool for thinking about mental health.
Give a limitation of deviation from ideal mental health.
A limitation of Jahoda’s checklist for mental health sets extremely high standards for mental health. For example, it is probable that none of us will achieve all of the checklist at the same time or keep them up for very long. It can be disheartening to see an impossible set of standards to live up to. This makes the definition less useful as its criteria may not be a valid tool for measuring abnormality.
