definitions of abnormality Flashcards
(13 cards)
4 definitions of abnormality
- deviating from social norms
- statistical infrequency
- failure to function adequately
- devotional from ideal mental health
deviation from social norms ao1
- doesn’t follow generally accepted rules in society abt how someone should behave e.g behaves in way thats not accepted socially
- society has = commonly accepted standards of behaviour ,
- some = in law, some not , but still accepted
-example of abnormal behaviour =
ppl with antisocial personality disorder,
- characterised by impulsiveness and aggressivess
- they = dont do accepted moral and ethical norms
devotion from social norms ao3 , culture
p- vary between culture and generations
e- someone from 1 culture/age group = sees another persons behaviour as abnormal but its normal to other person
e- e.g eastern cultures esp older generation , homosexuality = abnormal , but widely accepted in western societies
l- defintion = problem with cultural relativism and temporal validity = limited
deviation from social norms ao3 , beach
p- depends on context of behaviour
e- how abnormal a behaviour is seen = based on where and how extreme it is
e- e.g being naked on beach = might be acceptable , being naked in classroom = abnormal , same behaviour , judged diff depending on situation
l- definitio = inconsistent , changes depending on location and severity
statistical infrequency ao1
says abnormal behaviour is anything thats rare
- behaviours that are common = normal
- behaviours that are rare = abnormal
e.g being less intelligent
in any human characteristic e.g intelligent , pals score cluster around the average, and decrease as we move away from the mean
statistical infrequency , strength
p- help identify ppl who need help
e- iq of below 70 = may be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder = give them access to services, e.g support worker to help with daily tasks e.g shopping
e- + , high bdi score= psychological therapy,
l- some cases, labelling rare = abnormal , can be helpful , positive outcomes
statistical infrequency ao3, limitaton
p- assumes , all rare behaviours - abnormal , even if positive
e- e.g iq = over 130 just as unusual as low iq , but wouldn’t label high iq as abnormal
e- just bc trait = rare, doesn’t mean= undesirable/ sign of mental illness
l- definition = misleading , doesn’t consider value of behaviour , shouldn’t be used alone to define abnormality
failure to function adequately ao1
not able to go abt daily life , or cope with everyday hassle and stress
defined as abnormal if they couldn’t -
-hold down a job
- maintain relationships
- basic standard of hygiene
e.g = severe depression = low moods = unable to get up in morning and go work
rosenhan and seligman - 1989 - someone isn’t coping when
- dont conform to standard interpersonal rules e.g eye contact
- have severe personal distress
- behaviour = irrational/dangerious to themselves/oithers
failure to function adequately ao3 , limitation
p- relies on subjective judgement
e psychiatrist decides if person is distressed/causing distress to others
e- person = feels distressed, but judged as fine , even tho there’s objective tests= largely based on personal opinion
l- ffa definition = less reliable , not accurate/fair way to define abnormality , as its subjective
failure to function adequately ao3
p- wrongly label normal behaviour as abnormal
e- e.g during bereavement , most ppl experience emotional distress, struggle w daily taks , e.g but this is a normal reaction to loss
e- unfair/harmful to label as abnormal esp when they’re acting in same way most ppl would in that situation
l- ffa = lacks sensitivity to context = leads to innapropriate diagnoses
deviating from ideal mental health ao1
abnormality = someone deviates from ideal mental health
Jahoda 1968= defined ideal mh as displaying =
- positive view of self = high self esteem and self acceptance
- being focused on self actualisation - personal growth/devleopment , e.g developing talents
- autonomous functioning - act independently , make own decisions
- accurate view of reality - seeing world as it really is w/o distortions
- positive relationships and empathy to others
- master of your own environment = normal ppl = meet demands within situations = able to adapt to changing circumstances
deviating from ideal mental health ao3 limitation
p- unrealistic high standards for whats seen as normal
e- few ppl meet all criteria
e- e.g many ppl struggle w self actualisation and high self esteem at all times, so most ppl = considered abnormal under definition even if they’re functioning well
l- definition = too demanding , doesn’t provide realistic measure
deviating from ideal mental health ao3 limitation
p- cultural bias/relativsm
e- self actualisation = western ideal , individualist cultures, but seen as self indulgent in collectivist cultures, where emphasis on community rather than individual
e- value placed on independence and autonomy , not as important in collectivist cultures where family and community = prioritised
l- individualist perspective , less valid in collectivist cultures
