definitions of abnormality Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is deviation from social norms?
abnormality is any behaviour which breaks unwritten rules within a society/culture.
What are the four types of defining abnormality?
- Deviation from social norms
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- Failure to function adequately
What is a weakness of deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality?
- cultural bias
- ‘normal’ changes over time + is influenced by politics
- doesn’t acknowledge context
subjective + relies on opinions of a singular society
What are collectivist views on mental health?
collectivist cultures place importance on family and community over personal needs. In Japan, ‘Honne’ is a persons feelings which are to be kept secret.
What are individualist views on mental health?
they promote expression of emotion and self improvement. counselling was created in western cultures.
what is statistical infrequency?
abnormal is when behaviour is statistically uncommon.
What is a strength of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?
it is an objective way of defining abnormal based on statistical data which has real life application.
What is a weakness of statistical infrequency in defining abnormality?
- demonstrates cultural bias - cultures have different norms thus different statistical averages
- a high IQ is desirable but falls outside of the average, whereas depression also falls outside of the average, but is seen as undesirable.
3.labelling can cause more issues than the condition (self-fulfilling prophecy)
what is deviation from ideal mental health?
abnormality is the absence of ideal characteristics for good mental health
What did Jahoda (1958) suggest the criteria was for good mental health?
- personal growth - the ability to self actualise and reach goals
- reality perception - how a person sees the world is similar to others
- autonomy - being independent and self regulation over thoughts, emotions + behaviours
- integration - ability to cope with stressful situations and form good relationships
- Self attitude - a high self esteem and strong sense of identity
- environmental mastery - adapting to situations
What is body dysmorphic disorder?
A mental health disorder where a person obsessively worries about flaws in their appearance that are unnoticeable to others.
What are weaknesses of ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?
- unrealistic criteria - most people would be considered unhealthy. However it is a positive + holistic approach used for mental health aspirations and self referral.
- culturally biased - collectivists aspire towards shared goals not individual goals
- physical illness has object measures, whereas mental illness has subjective - not comparable
- our perception of reality changes over time - hearing voices used to be seen as religious but is now schizophrenic
what is failure to function adequately?
abnormality is being unable to cope with the demands of daily life, which results in distress
What were Rosenham + Seligman’s (1989) features of ‘dysfunction?’
- failing to conform to interpersonal rules, moral or social standards, and making others uncomfortable
- experiencing severe personal distress and suffering
- behaviour becomes irrational, unpredictable or dangerous to yourself or others
What is schizophrenia?
A disorder where individuals lack self awareness into their own disorder but experience hallucinations/delusions + may behave in ways that make others uncomfortable.
what are weaknesses of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
- It is difficult to defining ‘function adequately’ as they’re based on social norms.
- Psychopaths are dangerous but appear normal and show no signs of dysfunction (e.g. Harold Shipman, well respected doctor who killed 215 people)
- Ignores context - depression and bereavement show the same symptoms, but one is expected for the situation.
