Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
what are the 4 definitions of abnormality
- statistical infrequency
- deviation from social norms
- failure to function adequately
- deviation from ideal mental health
what is the definition of statistical infrequency
any behavoiur that is unusual is abnormal by looking at statistics
what is an example of statistical infrequency
- IQ and intellectual disability disorder
- normal distribution for human characteristics
- average IQ is 100
- 68% range from 85 - 115 %
- 2% have a score under 70
- those with IQ under 70 are abnormal and have IDD
strength of statistical infrequency
- real world application
- used in clinical practices as formal diagnosis and assessing the severity of an individual’s symptoms
- diagnoses requires an IQ below 70
- Becks depression inventory measures a score of 30+ as indicating severe depression
limitation of statistical infrequency
- unusual characteristics can be positive
- there are just as many people with an IQ above 130 as there are below 70
- those with high IQ not seen as abnormal
- those with low depression are not abnormal
- one end of the spectrum does not make a person abnormal
what is the definition of deviation from social norms
when a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave
norms are specific to the culture we live in
- there are few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal on the basis that they breach social norms
what is an example of deviation from social norms
antisocial personality disorder
- person is impulsive aggressive and irresponsible
- DSM- 5 states it is an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conforms to lawful and culturally normative ethical behavoiur
strength of deviations from social norms
- real world application
- used in clinical practices
- diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder
- diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder where the term strange is used to characterise the thinking behavior and appearance of people with this disorder.
limitations of deviation from social norms
- cultural and situational relativism
- variability between social norms in different cultures and situations
- a person from one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal using their standards rather than the persons standards
- hearing voices is the norm in some countries
-aggression and deceitful behavoiur is more accepted in corporate deal making than family life
what is the definition of failure to function adequately
- can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life
- unable to maintain basic standard of nutrients and hygiene or can no longer hold down a job or maintain relationships
when is someone failing to function adequately
Rosenham and Seligman (1989)
- when a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules eg maintain eye contact and respecting personal space
- when a person experiences severe personal distress
- when a persons behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves
what is an example of failure to function adequately
- IDD
- indudvila must be failing to function adequately before a diagnosis would be given
what is a strength of failure to function adequately
- represents a threshold for help
- most people have symptoms of mental disorder to some degree at some times
- according to mind 25% of people will experience a mental health problem in any given year
- when a person fails to function adequately they seek professional help or are noticed by others
limitations of failure to function adequately
- discrimination and social control
- easy to label non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
- some people choose to live off the grid and favour high risk leisure activities
what does ideal mental health look like
Johada (1958)
- no symptoms or distress
- rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
- self actualise
- cope with stress
- realistic view of the world
- good self esteem and lack of guilt
- independent of other people
- successfully work love and enjoy our leisure
strength of ideal mental health
- comprehensive definition
- Jahoda concept of ideal mental health includes a range of criteria for mental health from mental disorder
- individuals mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals who might take different theoretical views
limitations of deviations from ideal mental health
- may be culture bound
- some criterias are firmly located in the contest of the US
- self actualisation would be dismissed as self indulgent in other parts of the world
- what defines success is different in different cultures
