Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is psychopathology?
The study of psychological disorders.
What is the definition of statistical infrequency?
When an individual has a less common characteristic compared to the majority of the population.
What is the definition of deviation from social norms?
Behaviour that differs from the accepted standards or rules of behaviour within a society or community.
How does statistical infrequency define abnormality?
Behaviour that is rare or numerically unusual is considered abnormal.
What type of data is used to determine statistical infrequency?
Measurable data that follows a normal distribution (e.g. IQ scores).
What is considered an abnormal IQ score?
An IQ below 70, as only about 2% of the population score this low.
What diagnosis is linked to a statistically low IQ?
Intellectual disability disorder.
What is a strength of statistical infrequency?
It has real-life application in diagnosing intellectual disability disorder and helps in clinical assessment.
What is a limitation of statistical infrequency regarding positive traits?
Unusual characteristics like high IQ are statistically abnormal but not undesirable, so they don’t indicate a disorder.
Why might labelling someone as abnormal be unhelpful?
If the person is functioning well and happy, a label could cause unnecessary stigma or distress.
How does deviation from social norms define abnormality?
Behaviour is considered abnormal if it violates expected or accepted societal standards.
What is an example of a diagnosis based on deviation from social norms?
Antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy), which involves not conforming to moral or ethical norms.
Why are norms not universal?
Social norms vary across cultures and over time.
What is a strength of this definition?
It has a role in diagnosing disorders like antisocial personality disorder and considers desirability of behaviours.
What is a major limitation of this definition?
It is culturally relative – what’s abnormal in one culture might be normal in another (e.g. hearing voices).
How can it lead to human rights abuses?
Historically, it has been used to control minority groups and women by labelling non-conforming behaviour as mentally disordered.
Why might social norms be more useful than statistical norms?
They consider the desirability of behaviour – e.g., being a genius is rare but not undesirable, so it shouldn’t be seen as abnormal.
Why is deviation from social norms not a complete explanation on its own?
It often needs to be combined with other definitions like failure to function adequately to fully assess abnormality.
How might cultural relativism create problems in diagnosis?
People from different cultures may be wrongly labelled as abnormal due to differing norms and values.
What is meant by failure to function adequately?
It occurs when someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day-to-day living.
What is meant by deviation from ideal mental health?
It occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for what is considered good mental health.
Who proposed indicators for failure to function adequately?
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989).
What are the signs that someone is failing to function adequately?
• Not conforming to interpersonal rules (e.g., eye contact, personal space).
• Experiencing severe personal distress.
• Behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to self or others.
Give an example of a disorder involving failure to function adequately.
Intellectual disability disorder – a diagnosis requires both low IQ and inability to cope with everyday life.
