Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
(17 cards)
Meaning of Deviation from social norms.
a definintion of abnormality where a behviour is seen as abnormal if it violates the unwritteen rules of what is acceptable in a particular scociety
Meaning of statistical infrequency.
behaviour that is statistically uncommon, or not seen often in society -on either side of a normal distribution curve
Meaning of failure to function adequately.
if they cannot cope in daily life, including their ability to interact with the world and meet their challenges
Who came up with the criteria for failure to function adequately?
Rosenhan and Seligman.
What were Rosenhan and Seligman’s criteria?
Maladaptive behaviour
Personal anguish
Observer discomfort
Irrationality
unconventionality
What are the definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequency
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from social norms
deviation from ideal mental health
Who came up with Deviation from ideal mental health?
Marie Jahoda
What are the criteria of ideal mental health?
Environmental mastery
Autonomy
Resistance to stress
Self-actualisation
Positive attitude towards oneself
accurate perception of reality
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
a definition of abnormality where behaviour is seen as abnormal if it prevents the person from achieving ideal mental health.
What is a strength of Failure to function adequately?
P- a strength of failure to function is that it provides a threshold for when people need help.
E-Most people can display behaviours of mental illness but not be mentally ill. According to the mental health charity Mind, around 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem at some point in the year. However, many won’t seek help, or be referred, until they are completely unable to function without help.
P- This is a strength of failure to function as it means that the resources to help can be targeted at those who need it most
What is limitation of failure to function adequately?
P-A limitation of failure to function is that it could lead to discrimination towards those who choose alternate lifestyles.
E-In reality it is difficult to say if someone is actually failing to function or if they have simply chosen to deviate from social norms. for example someone without a job or a permanent address might be seen as sign of being unable to function, and for some it might be. Yet for others they be choosing to live ‘off-grid’. Similarly those who partake in high-risk hobbies or unusual spiritual practices could be classed as irrational and perhaps a danger to themselves.
C-This is a limitation of failure to function as those who choose to live alternative lifestyles may be labeled as abnormal and so their freedom of choice may be taken.
what is a strength of statistical infrequency?
P-A strength of statistical infrequency is that it very useful in the real world.
E-Statistical infrequency is routinely used as a way to diagnose clients and gauge their level of symptoms. For example a diagnoses of intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ of below 70% (bottom 2%). Another example is of statistical infrequency for assessment is in Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). A score of 30+ is widely interpreted as indicating severe depression.
C-This showcases how useful statistical infrequency is in the assessment and diagnosing of patients.
What is limitation of statistical infrequency?
P-One limitation of statistical infrequency is that some people may benefit or be able to live with their abnormality.
E-For example, someone with a severe learning disability may benefit from finding out they gave a lower IQ than the rest of the population as they can then gain access to resources that can aid them in day to day life. However, this can also be negative as someone with a lower IQ that can still thrive may be given the label of ‘abnormal’ when they are not. The label of ‘abnormal’ has a lot of social stigma surrounding it thus leading the person to miss out on things they would have otherwise had.
C-This is a limitation as it means that people would be wrongly categorised, which could lead to them reserving resources they don’t need.
What is a strength of deviation from social norms?
P-A strength of deviation from social norms is that it is very useful in the real world.
E-deviation from social norms is commonly used in clinical environments to diagnose patients. For example, a common symptom of antisocial personality disorder is failure to conform to culturally acceptable behaviour i.e recklessness, aggression, deceitfulness. These signs of the disorder are all deviations from social norms. These also play a part in schizoptypal personality disorder, where the term ‘strange is used to characterise the thinking, behaviour and appearance of people with the disorder.
C-This shows that deviation from Social norms criterion has value in psychiatry
What is a limitation of deviation from social norms?
P-One limitation of deviation from social norms is the differences in social norms from culture to culture.
E-a person from one cultural group may label someone from another social group as abnormal when using their own standards instead of the other persons standard. For example, the experience of hearing voices may be the norm in other cultures but would be seen as a sign of abnormality in most parts of the UK. Also, within our own culture social norms can change from context to context: the behaviour at a night club is different to the accepted behaviour in the workplace.
C-This then means that it can be difficult to gauge what its and isn’t a deviation from a persons social norms while accounting for different situations and different cultures
what is a strength of deviation form ideal mental health?
P-One strength of deviation from ida mental health is that it is highly comprehensive.
E- Jahoda included a wide variety of criteria for distinguishing mental health from mental disorder. Its even covers the reasons why we might seek (or get referred) psychiatric help. This then means that the individuals mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals who might take different theoretical views.
C-this means that ideal mental health provides a checklist through which we can asses ourselves and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals.
what is a limitation of deviation from ideal metal health?
P-One limitation of deviation from ideal mental health is its different elements may not be applicable across a range of cultures.
E-Some of Jahoda’s criteria is based on strictly just the USA and the UK. In particular the concept of self-actualisation’ would be seen as self indulgent in some parts of the world. Even within Europe there’s disparity in the value placed on personal independence, e.g high in Germany, low in Italy. furthermore what defines success in work, family and the self is different from culture to culture.
C-This means that it is difficult to apply Jahoda’s deviation from ideal mental health criteria to cultures outside the USA and UK.
