Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is statistical infrequency?
Behaviour that is statistically uncommon and not frequently seen in society is abnormal
How can statistical infrequency be shown on a normal distribution curve?
Behaviour in the mean, medium, mode point of normal distribution curve is seen as normal
Behaviour on the far ends of the graph is statistically uncommon so are abnormal
What is an example of statistical infrequency?
Example - IQ
IQ is normally distributed across a population
Average IQ - 100
Most people have an IQ between 80-115
Only 2% have a score below 70
IQ below 70 seen as statistically abnormal
What is an evaluation of statistical infrequency?
Real work application
Usefulness
Used in clinical practice
Formal diagnosis and way of assessing severity of an individuals symptoms
Eg. Diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ of below 70
Statistical infrequency used in an assessment tool is Beck depression inventory
30+ widely interpreted as indicating severe depression
Showing the value of the statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
What is an evaluation of statistical infrequency?
Unusual characteristics can be positive
Infrequency characteristics can be positive as well as negative
For every person with IQ below 70 there is another with IQ above 130
We would not think of someone as abnormal for having a high IQ
Being unusual or at one end of spectrum does not necessarily make someone abnormal
Meaning although statistical infrequency can form part of assessment and diagnostic procedures, it is never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality.
What is deviation social norms?
When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave.
What is culture dependent?
Definition of normal dependent on culture
Eg. homosexuality viewed as abnormal in some cultures (non-western) but normal in others (western)
What is an example of deviation from social norms?
Antisocial personality disorder
Symptom - impulsive, aggressive, irresponsible
Failure to conform to lawful and culturally normal ethical behaviour
Lack of empathy which deviates from social norms
What is an evaluation of deviation from social norms?
Real world application
Usefullness
Clinical practice
Key defining factor - failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour
Also diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder - strange is thinking, behaviour and appearance
Showing deviation from social norms criterion has value in psychiatry
What is an evaluation of deviation from social norms?
Cultural and situational relativism
Variable between social norms in different cultures and even different situations
One may label someone from another group as abnormal using their standards rather the persons standards
Aggressive and deceitful behaviour in context of family life is more socially unacceptable than in the context of corporate deal making
Meaning it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different situations and cultures
What is failure to function adequately?
If someone is unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in society - considered abnormal
What did Rosenhan and Seligman propose signs of someone failing to function adequately?
When person experiences severe personal distress
When person behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
No longer conforms to interpersonal rules
What is an evaluation of failure to function adequately?
Represents a threshold for help
Represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help.
Most of us have symptoms of mental disorder to some degree
Mind - 25% of people in UK experience a mental health problem in any given year.
Many people press on in the face of fairly severe symptoms
This criterion mean that the treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
What is an evaluation of failure to function adequately?
Discrimination and social control
Easy to label non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
Hard to say when someone is failing to function or when they have simply chosen to deviate from social norms
Meaning 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?
Abnormal behaviour is defined by the absence of particular ideal characteristics.
What does ideal mental health look like according to Jahoda?
No symptoms or distress
Rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
Self actualise
Can cope with stress
Realistic view on world
Good self esteem and lack of guilt
Independent
Successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
What is an evaluation of ideal mental health?
A comprehensive definition
Highly comprehensive
Covers most reasons why we might seek help with mental health.
Meaningfully with a range of professionals who might take different theoretical views
Meaning ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals
What is an evaluation of ideal mental health?
May be culture bound
Different elements are not equally applicable across a range of cultures
Firmly located in context of the US and Europe
Eg. self actualisation probably be dismissed as self indulgent in much of the world
Personal independence
High in Germany low in Italy
Meaning it is difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another
