definitions of abnormality

Question 1

statistical infrequency

Answer 1

looks at data so behaviour needs to be reliably measured

rare behaviour is abnormal

rare is any behaviour that falls 2 SDs from the norm

E.g IQ average in 100, 2% have an IQ less than 70, these people would be abnormal

Question 2

deviation from social norms

Answer 2

behaving differently than people expect you to

Abnormal if society decides it is unacceptable

E.g anti-social personality disorder (impulsive, aggressive)

Question 3

failure to function

Answer 3

Rosenhan and Seligman

no longer conforming to standard social rules

severe personal distress

becoming a danger to yourself and/or others

E.g not leaving your house for extended periods of time

Question 4

deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

Jahoda’s criteria to be psychologically healthy

high self esteem

realistic world view

rational self perception

can cope with stress

Question 5

statistical infrequency AO3 strength

Answer 5

objectivity, focus on data and normal distributions, not reliant on psychologist interpretation, less personal bias, more internal validity

Question 6

statistical infrequency AO3 CA

Answer 6

ambiguous, people who need treatment can slip through the cracks, IQ 120 is normal but 121 is not

Question 7

deviation from social norms AO3 strength

Answer 7

adaptable to a variety of cultures, considers cultural variations

Question 8

deviation from social norms AO3 CA

Answer 8

based on unwritten societal norms, ambiguity surrounding the definition, no universal behaviour, more susceptible to psychologist bias

Question 9

failure to function AO3 strength

Answer 9

criteria acts as a threshold for when people need help the most

Question 10

failure to function AO3 CA

Answer 10

restricting freedoms, easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal, e.g living off grid and unemployed

Question 11

deviation from ideal mental health AO3 weakness

Answer 11

criteria is westernised, cannot be applied to all cultures

Question 12

deviation from ideal mental health AO3 CA

Answer 12

criteria is extensive and well rounded, considering a wide range of reasons why someone would need help so discussions are more meaningful

Question 13

generic AO3 strength

Answer 13

xyz can lead to diagnosis and then treatment

Question 14

generic AO3 CA

Answer 14

SI - depression is common, 1/6

DfSN - schizophrenia symptoms are not outward

FtF - reactions to bereavement are rational

DfIMH - impossible to have ideal mental health all the time