Definitions Of Abnormality Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is statistical infrequency?
This when an individual has a less common characteristic (statistically uncommon)
Give 2 examples of statistical infrequency
- Intellectually disability disorder ( low IQ)
- More depressed
What is deviation from social norms?
This is when a persons behaves in a way different to how society expects them to behave (don’t conform to society standards)
Example of deviating from social norms
Antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy)
behaves aggressive impulsive etc
What is a strength of statistical infrequency definition?
Useful > It is used in clinical practice as part of formal diagnosis and a way to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms
- Diagnosis of IDD requires IQ below 70
- example of SI used in an assessment tool is Becks depression inventory where a score of 30+ indicates severe depression
- shows value of SI criteria in diagnosis
What is limitation of statistical infrequency definition?
- infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative
- IQ above 130 - would not been seen as abnormal
- or someone with low depression score as abnormal
- Shows that being on unusual on one end of a psychological spectrum does not make someone abnormal
- not sufficient for the sole basis of abnormality
What is a strength of deviation from social norms definition?
- usefulness > Used in clinical practice in diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder
- Key defining characteristics of ASPD is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour (violating rights of others, aggression etc)
- has value in psychiatry
What is one limitation of deviation from social norms definition?
- social norms varies in different cultures & situations
- person may label someone as abnormal using their standards rather than the persons standards
- experiences of hearing voices (messages from ancestors) is a norm in some cultures
- in the UK sign of schizophrenia
- difficult to judge deviation from social norms across culture
What is meant by failure to function adequately?
When someone is unable to cope with demand of everyday life (nutrition & hygiene) > can’t maintain friendships or job
What two people proposed certain indicators for when someone is not coping and what are they?
Rosenhan & Seligman (1989)
- when a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules (maintaining eye contact)
- person experiences personal distress
- person’s behaviour becomes irrational to themselves or others
What is a strength of the failure to function adequately definition?
- criterion represents a threshold for when people need professional help
- According to mental health charity Mind, 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year
- helps others to notice and refer other people
- treatments can be targeted to those who need in most
What is a limitation of the failure to function adequately definition?
- Labels non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal e.g. not having a job or permanent address = abnormal» but people with alternative lifestyles chose to live “off-grid”
- those who favour high risk activities or unusable spiritual practices would be classed as a danger to self
- means people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
When someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
Who proposed a criteria for good mental health and what does the criteria contain?
- Jahoda
- we self-actualise
- environmental mastery
- high self esteem
- autonomy
- resisting stress
- accurate perception of reality (rational)
What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health definition?
- highly comprehensive
- Distinguishes mental health from illness > covers why we might seek or be referred for help with mental health
- means individuals health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals who have different theoretical views (e.g. humanistic who make focus on self-actualisation)
>provides checklist in which we can assess ourselves & others
What is limitation of deviation from ideal mental health definition?
- not equally applicable to all culture
- Criteria for IMH located in the context of US and Europe e.g. self actualisation > dismissed as self- indulgent in collectivist cultures such as India and China
- westerns place high value on independences & what defines success differs in different cultures e.g. could be working, social life or love life
- difficult to apply IMH criteria from one culture to another
