Individual Differences - Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What three Definitions of Abnormality are there?

Answer 1

Failure to Function Adequately.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health.
Deviation from Social Norms.

Question 2

What does the first definition state?

Answer 2

One way of defining abnormality is when a person’s behaviour, thinking or emotional state reduces their chances of survival or prevents them from living a happy fulfilling life.

Question 3

How may a person be considered abnormal?

Answer 3

They are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life.

Question 4

How may a person who suffers from depression fit into the definition?

Answer 4

Often unable to face day to day life, may have prolonged absence from work/education. May neglect personal hygiene due to fatigue and low motivation.

Question 5

What is another feature of the first definition?

Answer 5

Personal distress – not considered normal to be so distressed or upset that you can’t carry out daily activities.

Question 6

How may a person who suffers from a phobia fit into the definition?

Answer 6

May be too anxious to leave the house in case they come into contact with phobia. Show very high levels of distress when confronted with phobic stimuli.

Question 7

Evaluate the first definition of abnormality.

Answer 7

1. Definitions of adequate functioning may be culturally biased. Lower class, non-white people more likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder.
2. Some major disorders are not accompanied by distress or inability to cope. E.g. sociopaths can commit range of violent acts without feeling distress or remorse – Ted Bundy.
3. Distress may be perfectly appropriate to certain situation. E.g. funeral. May be abnormal to not be distressed in situations.

Question 8

What does the second definition state?

Answer 8

Anyone who cannot be defined as ‘normal’ must be ‘abnormal’.

Question 9

Who came up with the characteristics of a psychologically ‘normal’ person?

Answer 9

Jahoda.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of a psychologically ‘normal’ person?

Answer 10

Having a positive view of yourself.
Developing your full capabilities.
Independence.
Accurate perception of reality.
Being able to cope with stressful situations.
Mastery of the environment.

Question 11

What happens to people who do not meet these criteria?

Answer 11

They may be considered psychologically abnormal and require treatment.

Question 12

Give two examples of someone who may not fit these conditions.

Answer 12

Depression – not having a positive view of themselves, not able to cope with stressful situations.
Phobia or Schizophrenia – not having an accurate perception of reality.

Question 13

Evaluate the second definition of abnormality.

Answer 13

1. Takes a more positive view of mental health – gives people goals to achieve. Rather than labelling them as abnormal, just says some of their characteristics are abnormal.
2. Large number of people do not meet some criteria, therefore would be considered abnormal despite having no disorder which require treatment.
3. Idea of normality are ethnocentric. In some cultures it’s seen as abnormal to want to be independent, some parents plan child’s lives.

Question 14

What are social norms?

Answer 14

Shared expectations within a social group or culture regarding what is appropriate behaviour.

Question 15

What are explicit norms?

Answer 15

Would be seen as breaking the law if we deviated from them.

Question 16

Give examples of an explicit norm.

Answer 16

Theft, Murder. Speeding.

Question 17

What are implicit norms?

Answer 17

Not spoken, but everyone in the group is aware of them.

Question 18

Give examples of an implicit norm.

Answer 18

Standing very close to people, Queueing, Talking to someone on the toilet.

Question 19

What other norms are there?

Answer 19

Age appropriate, gender appropriate.

Question 20

Give examples of an age appropriate norm.

Answer 20

Clothing styles, Tantrums.

Question 21

Give examples of a gender appropriate norm.

Answer 21

Clothing, Attitudes to sex.

Question 22

What happens if someone deviates from these norms?

Answer 22

They are seen as abnormal and undesirable, their behaviour may be bizarre or weird to other and may make them feel threatened or uncomfortable.

Question 23

Evaluate the third definition of abnormality.

Answer 23

1. Definition only works if we consider the context of behaviour. E.g. seen as normal to jump around and scream at a concert but not at the library.
2. Social norms change over time. E.g. homosexuality used to be illegal and classed as a mental disorder.
3. Social norms can vary across cultures. E.g. some tribes used body modification to signify beauty (lip plates, neck rings). Western cultures would view this as abnormal.