Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

what is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

a numerically unusual behaviour or characteristic.

Question 2

what is an example of statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

intellectual disability disorder.

those with an IQ below 70% usually have IDD, although it is >2% of the population.

Question 3

what is one strength of SI?

Answer 3

1. it has real world application, it is useful in diagnosing illnesses such as IDD, making it useful in diagnostic and assessment process.

Question 4

what is one weakness of SI?

Answer 4

1. infrequent characteristics aren’t always negative, it is abnormal to have an IQ over 130 but not negative, although SI is useful in diagnostics it is not sufficient for diagnosing illnesses in itself.

Question 5

what is deviation from social norms?

Answer 5

social judgements about what is acceptable and unacceptable.

Question 6

what is an example of deviation from social norms?

Answer 6

antisocial behaviour is unacceptable in many cultures.

Question 7

What does it mean that social norms are culture-specific?

Answer 7

what may be normal in one culture may be abnormal in another.

Question 8

what is one strength of deviation from social norms?

Answer 8

1. it has real world application, it is helpful in diagnosing illnesses such as schizotypal personality disorder, this shows the deviation from social norms criteria has value in diagnosing illnesses

Question 9

what is one limitation of deviation from social norms?

Answer 9

1. there is variability in cultures, social norms differ from one culture to another culture, it is difficult to judge social norms from one culture to another.

Question 10

what is failure to function adequately?

Answer 10

the inability to cope with the demands of everyday life

Question 11

what is an example of failure to function adequately

Answer 11

IDD

Question 12

what factors show that a person is failing to cope?

Answer 12

1. a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules
2. when a person experiences severe personal distress
3. when a persons behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous

Question 13

what is one strength of failure to function adequately?

Answer 13

1. it represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help, this provides a way when people are experiencing symptoms if they need professional help, this means treatment can be given to those who really need it.

Question 14

what is one weakness of failure to function adequately?

Answer 14

1. it is easy to unintentionally label someone as abnormal when they are just living differently, it may be abnormal to not have a job but it may just be someones choice, this means people who make different choices may be labelled as ill.

Question 15

what is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 15

Jahoda considered normality over abnormality and defined mental illness through the normality.

Question 16

what does Jahoda say ideal mental health looks like?

Answer 16

rationality, self-actualisation, coping with stress, realistic world view.

Question 17

what is one strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 17

1. it is highly comprehensive, this gives those with symptoms a comprehensive list of symptoms in which they would need to seek professional help, this means ideal mental health can be discussed meaningfully with professionals.

Question 18

what is one weakness of deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 18

1. it is culturally bound and not equally applicable to other cultures, there is too much variation for it to be equally measured, it is difficult to apply to this then.