Definitons Of Abnormality Flashcards
Statistical infrequency
A person trait thinking or behaviour that’s an indication of abnormality that’s numerical statistically Rare
Fall out of normal attribution considered abnormal
Strength of statistical infrequency
Real life application for diagnosing, intellectual personality disorder
Assessing of patient, mental health disorder includes measurements of how bad symptoms are to statistical norm
Useful for clinical assessments
Weakness of statistical infrequency
No benefit labelling, someone abnormal regardless of their unusual behaviour
May have a low IQ, but not distressed, living a good life. No need to be diagnosed 
If a person is labelled abnormal has a negative affect how they see themselves, and how others see them 
Social norm
Rules and standards from a group that constrain social behaviour not forced by law
Deviation from social norm
Behaviour seen as abnormal and a deviation if you violate the unwritten rules about what is acceptable
Strength of deviation from social norms
Real life application for anti social personality disorder
Deviating what we thinks is normal and abnormal but other’s factors considered (failure to function adequately)
Seen as sole reason for defying abnormality
Weakness deviation from social norms
To much resilience
Abuse to human rights
Classification of reductionist due to social norms changing
Modern categories of mental health abuse peoples right to be different
Failure to function adequately
People with psychological disorders experience suffering and inability to cope with everyday activities so consider abnormal
And if there behaviour cause distress to themselves or others
Strength of failure to function adequately
Attemp to include the subjective experience of individual
Adolescence experiences important to consider
Useful criteria for assessing abnormality
Weakness failure to function adequately
Someone has to asses if patient is distressed or distressing
People have different judgments
Someone has to make the decision
Deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda - looks at positive rather than negatives
6 criteria promote psychological health and wellbeing people feel happy and free of distress
Claim people lacking criteria are vulnerable to mental I’ll health considered abnormal
Jahoda 6 criteria
Self attitude - high self esteem and strong self of identity
Self actualisation - develop full capabilities
Integration - cope in stressful situations
Autonomy - being independent
Mastery of the environment - ability to function and problem solve
Strength of deviation from ideal mental health
It’s comprehensive and covers wide range of criteria for mental health
Covers lots of research why people seek help or are referred
Good tool for thinking about mental health
Weakness of deviation from ideal mental health
Unrealistic standards can’t have all criteria at same time
Approach Suggest abnormality can be positive or negative
No value thinking about who might benefit from treatment against their will
