Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

what are the four definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

• statistical definition of abnormality
• deviation from social norms definition
• failure to function adequately
• deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

statistical definition of abnormality

Answer 2

• defining normal and abnormal by the number of times we observe it
• when a behaviour is rare (statistically infrequent), it’s regarded as abnormal
• uses the normal distribution curve

Question 3

what’s does a normal distribution curve show?

Answer 3

• the majority of people will fall in the middle of the graph, with the minority being at either extreme of the graph
• e.g. IQ - the average IQ is 100, only 2% score below 70 (abnormal)

Question 4

strengths of the statistical infrequency definition

Answer 4

• real life application in diagnosing intellectual disability disorder (IQ)
• gives quantitative data which is objective - it’s more likely to be reliable
• gives us a definite cut-off point
• no value judgement

Question 5

weaknesses of the statistical infrequency definition

Answer 5

• unusual characteristics can be positive e.g. high IQ scores
• depression is common in the UK but is still considered abnormal
• ignores cultural factors

Question 6

social norms definition of abnormality

Answer 6

states that behaviour which conforms to social norms is normal and behaviour that doesn’t is abnormal

Question 7

what are social norms?

Answer 7

• unwritten rules set by society that tell us how we’re expected to behave
• if someone behaves in a way that doesn’t conform to social norms we may feel threatened by them
• e.g. antisocial personality disorder

Question 8

strengths of the social norms definition

Answer 8

• real life application in diagnosing antisocial personality disorder
• considers differences in culture
• considers social dimension
• considers developmental norms
• seeks to protect society from abnormal behaviour

Question 9

weaknesses of the social norms definition

Answer 9

• it’s subjective - social norms are based on society’s opinions
• not a sole explanation - other factors to consider
• social norms vary between cultures and overtime
• going against social norms can be positive
• individualistic or eccentric people are unproblematic but may not want to conform to social norms

Question 10

failure to function adequately definition of abnormality

Answer 10

• can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life e.g. basic hygiene, going to work
• not able to experience the usual range of emotions

Question 11

when is someone failing to function?

Answer 11

• personal distress
• maladaptive behaviour (stopping life goals from being achieved)
• unpredictability
• irrationality
• observer discomfort (behaviour causes discomfort to others)
• violation of moral standards
• unconventionality

Question 12

how do clinicians assess this?

Answer 12

• the GAF (global assessment of functioning scale)
• rates their level of social, occupational, and psychological functioning

Question 13

strengths of the failure to function definition

Answer 13

• includes the subjective experience of the individual
• assesses the degree of abnormality (GAF)
• focuses on observable behaviours

Question 15

deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality

Answer 15

• looks for signs of an absence of wellbeing
• Jahoda’s characteristics of ideal mental health
• the more characteristics an individual fails to meet, the more abnormal they are

Question 15

weaknesses of the failure to function definition

Answer 15

• abnormality isn’t always accompanied by failure to function - Harold Shipman murdered 215 patients but didn’t show dysfunction
• subjective
• normal abnormality - suffering distress because of grief
• cultural differences

Question 15

what are Jahoda’s characteristics of ideal mental health?

Answer 15

• positive attitude towards oneself
• self-actualisation
• autonomy
• resisting stress
• accurate perception of reality
• environmental mastery

Question 15

weaknesses of the failure to function definition

Answer 15

• cultural relativism - some of Jahoda’s characteristics are specific to Western European and North American cultures
• overdemanding criteria - according to this definition, most of us are abnormal
• subjective - criteria are vague and difficult to measure

Question 16

strengths of the failure to function definition

Answer 16

• very comprehensive - broad range of criteria
• positive
• targets areas of dysfunction
• holistic - considers individual as a whole person
• goal setting - self growth