P: Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is psychopathology?
The scientific study of psychological disorders (pathology is the study of disease.)
How do doctors identify physical disorders?
What is the difficulty with psychological disorders in contrast?
- Physical disorders- identify certain signs & symptoms.
- Psychological disorders- issue is how do we idnetify when someone is ‘ill’ - in what way does their behaviour differ from what is normal, i.e. what is abnormal?
Cultural relativism
The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the same context of the culture in which it originates.
What is deviation from social norms?
Abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules about how one ‘ought’ to behave. Anything that violates these rules is considered abnormal.
What is DSM (Diagnostic & statistical manual of mental disorders)?
A list of clinical characteristics that areused to diagnose mental disorders.
What is statistical infrequency?
Abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare, i.e. any behaviour that is found in very few people & is regarded as abnormal.
What are social norms?
- In any society, there are standards of acceptable behaviour that are set by the social group & adhered to by those socialised into that group.
- Anyone who behaves differently (‘deviates’) from these socially created norms is classed as abnormal, i.e deviation from social norms!
What are the four definitions of abnormality?
Statistical infrequency.
Deviation from social norms.
Failure to function adequately.
Deviation from ideal mental health.
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
- Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence & happiness.
- Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress & an accurate perception of reality.
Failure to function adequately?
People are judged on their ability to go about daily life.
If they can’t do this & are also experiencing distress (or others are distressed by their behaviour), then it is considered a sign of abnormality.
Failure to function adequately.
What does this refer to?
Not being able to cope with everyday living, i.e. failure to function adequately.
‘Functioning’ refers to going about day-to-day life, such as eating regularly, washing clothes, getting up to go out to a job or some activity, being able to communicate with others, having some control over your life etc.
What does not functioning adequately cause to the individual?
Causes suffering & distress for individual and for others.
Eg. SZ patients
