Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• Failure to function adequately
• Deviation from social norms
• Deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical infrequency

Question 2

What is the definition of failure to function adequately?

Answer 2

An individual is abnormal if they display an inability to cope with everyday life

Question 3

Why are some individuals not able to function adequately?

Answer 3

The distress caused by the abnormal behaviour prevents the individual from functioning properly
- E.g. it may disrupt their ability to work or maintain friendships/form relationships

Question 4

What are an individuals emotions like if they fail to function adequately?

Answer 4

These individuals usually fail to display the usual range of emotions

Question 5

What did Rosehan & Seligman suggest about failure to function adequately?

Answer 5

Rosehan & Seligman suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features, the more an individual has, the more abnormal they are

Question 6

What are the 4 of the 7 features that Rosehan & Seligman suggested personal dysfunction has?

Answer 6

Personal distress, maladaptive behaviour, unpredictability and irrationality

Question 7

What is used to assess how well individuals cope with everyday life, regarding failure to function adequately?

Answer 7

The Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) which rates their social, occupational and psychological functioning

Question 8

What are the strengths of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 8

• Observable behaviour
• It recognises the patient’s perspective
• Checklist

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 9

• Who judges?
• Adaptive
• Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
• Cultural differences

Question 10

What is the definition of deviation from social norms?

Answer 10

A failure to obey society’s unwritten social rules for acceptable behaviour

Question 11

What does the definition of deviation from social norms draw the line between?

Answer 11

The definition draws a line between desirable and undesirable behaviours and labels individuals who behave undesirably as social deviants

Question 12

Who is seen as antisocial and consequently abnormal?

Answer 12

People who break the social norms regarding decency, politeness and sexual behaviours

Question 13

What are the strengths of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 13

• Helps people
• Protects society
• Developmental norms
• Clarity

Question 14

What are the weaknesses of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 14

• Subjective
• Change over time
• Cultural differences

Question 15

What is the definition of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 15

A failure to meet a list of criteria that state what is healthy

Question 16

Who came up with the criteria for ideal mental health?

Answer 16

Jahoda

Question 17

What did Jahoda do?

Answer 17

Jahoda identified 6 characteristics that individuals should exhibit in order to display ideal mental health. The more criteria an individual fails to meet, the more abnormal they are and the more likely they are to have a mental disorder

Question 18

What were Jahoda’s 6 criteria?

Answer 18

Self-actualisation, autonomy, resisting stress, accurate perception of reality, environmental mastery and high self-esteem and strong sense of identity

Question 19

What do you have to do to meet the self-actualisation of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 19

Realising your own potential. People should be motivated to achieve their potential and as a result experience personal growth and development

Question 20

What do you have to do to meet the autonomy of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 20

Being independent, self-reliant and able to make your own decisions

Question 21

What do you have to do to meet the resisting stress of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 21

Having effective coping strategies and being able to cope with everyday anxiety-provoking situations

Question 22

What do you have to do to meet the accurate perception of reality of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 22

Having a realising and objective view of the world

Question 23

What do you have to do to meet the environmental mastery of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 23

Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Having the flexibility to adapt to changing life circumstances

Question 24

What do you have to do to meet the high self-esteem and strong sense of identity of Jahoda’s criteria?

Answer 24

A self-respect and a positive self-concept

Question 25

What are the strengths of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 25

- Positivity - Target areas of dysfunction - Goal setting

Question 26

What are the weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 26

- Demanding criteria - Subjective criteria - Jahoda's criteria are culturally biased

Question 27

What is the definition of statistical infrequency?

Answer 27

Behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal

Question 28

Who is perceived as abnormal according to statistical infrequency?

Answer 28

An individual who displays behaviour that falls outside of 'the normal distribution' (usually 5%)

Question 29

What is an example of statistical infrequency?

Answer 29

Anxiety can be assessed using Spielberg's state trait anxiety inventory. The mean score is 40. People who score 55+ are statistically rare as only 1 in 50 people score this high. High scores are deviant from the majority of the population

Question 30

What are the strengths of statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 30

- Can be appropriate - Objective

Question 31

What are the weaknesses of statistical frequency as a definition of abnormality?

Answer 31

- Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal - Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent - Cultural factors