Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
(11 cards)
Define Abonormality
Traits that are rare or uncommon
What are the ways of deciding abnormality
Statistical Infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
What Classifies something as Statistical Infrequent?
2x standard deviations from the mean
Strengths of Statistical infrequency
Objective, ensures standardised measurements.
Weaknesses of Stastical infrequency
Desirable behaviour seen as abnormal.
May link desirable traits to psychological distress.
What is Deviation from Social Norms?
Behaviour is abnormal if it significantly differs from the accepted standards, values, or expectations of particular society or culture.
Strengths and weaknesses of Deviation from social norms definition.
Flexible - adapts to societal standards rather than specific cut off.
Culturally relative - What considered abnormal differ across cultures. Afro - Caribbean Schizophrenia diagnosis 7x higher in UK
What is failure to function adequately?
Refers to individuals who are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life.
e.g. personal distress, irrationality, inability to perform everyday tasks.
what is Deviation from Ideal Mental Health?
Person considered abnormal if lacks certain characteristics associated with psychological well-being
Strengths and weaknesses of failure to function adequately definition.
Subjective experiences - considers effects of traits not reducing people to numbers.
Misses some abnormal behaviour - abnormal behaviours that don’t cause distress missed. e.g. psychopaic criminal behaviour.
Strengths/Weaknesses Of Deviation from social norms.
Comprehensive - Outlines wide range of criteria help to identify mental health issues.
Cultural Relative - Reflects western values of personal growth and autonomy.
