Defintions of Abnormality (Psychopathology)

Question 1

Abnormality (4)

Answer 1

Deviation from social norms

Deviation from statistical norms/statistical infrequency

Failure to function adequately

Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

Statistical infrequency/Deviation from statistical norms

Answer 2

A statistically rare behaviour

Will be more than 2 standard deviations from the mean. I.e. over 130 or under 70 IQ score

Question 3

2 Strengths of Statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 3

Clear numerical cut off points

Obvious, quick and easy to define

Question 4

2 Limitations of Statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality

Answer 4

Doesn’t take into account the desirability of behaviour (high IQ is desirable but abnormal)

Being labelled as abnormal could be detrimental; some things (e.g. depression) are frequent but still abnormal

Question 5

Deviation from social norms

Answer 5

Social Norms are rules set up for behaviour based on a set of moral standards. Any deviation is seen as abnormal

Question 6

1 Strength of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 6

Real life application in terms of diagnosis, for example, antisocial personality disorder.

Question 7

2 Limitations of deviation of social norms as a definition of abnormality

Answer 7

Historical issues

Until 1967 in the UK homosexual acts were criminal offences.

Social Control

This approach has been used as a form of social control, for example, black slaves running away were diagnosed with drapetomania.

Question 8

Failure to function adequately

Answer 8

Inability to cope with day-to-day life caused by psychological distress or discomfort

May lead to harm of self or others

Question 9

Strengths of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 9

Includes the subjective experience of the individual, this at least acknowledges the experience of the patient as important.

Question 10

Limitations of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality

Answer 10

What is distressing is subjective

Some patients who claim to be distressed may be judged as not suffering

Question 11

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 11

Defines features of ideal mental health, and deviation from these indicates abnormality

Question 12

Strengths of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 12

it is comprehensive, covering a broad range of criteria and all aspects of mental health

Question 13

Weaknesses of deviation from mental health as a definition of abnormality

Answer 13

cultural relativism (in western cultures individuality is valued but this is less so in collectivist cultures)

Question 14

Paraphilias

Answer 14

sexually deviant behaviours