p1 - psychopathology (definitions of abnormality). ✔️ Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?
- Deviation from social norms states that abnormality is when we step away from (deviate) from what is normally expected in society.
- Norms depend on the culture or society that you belong to.
- Can be implicit (you just know them) or explicit (they are told to you).
On the whole, deviation from social norms is where…
…you are seen as abnormal if you behave in a way that does not fit the social norms of your culture or society.
Definition of social norm?
Behaviours we accept/expect as the norm, decided by society and culture.
Examples of mental illnesses that deviate from social norms?
Anti-social personality disorder (psychopathy)
- Symptom: ‘Absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour’.
Depression
- Symptom: Social withdrawal.
OCD
- Repetitive behaviour.
Advantages of deviation from social norms definition?
- Easy to use
E - Most people are aware of social norms.
E - Easy to identify when/if a person steps away. Useful.
Disadvantages of deviation from social norms definition?
- Cultural relativism.
E - When an idea is only relevant to the culture its from. Social norm = culturally relative. Cultures = different.
E - This definition cannot be consistently applied. Decreases credibility. - Dependant on historical context.
E - Social norms change. Attitudes towards homosexuality, seen as a mental health disorder until 1973.
E - Definition is less useful as norms are not consistent.
What is the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?
- Inability to partake in activities like going to work, school or social activities.
- Used in the DSM to help diagnose mental health disorders.
- Example = Depression.
How is failure to function adequately measured?
Global Assessment of Functioning Questionnaire (GAF)
- Scores range from 10 to 100.
- Score 10 = suicidal.
- Score 60 = Suffer moderately with anxiety.
- Score 100 = Suicidal.
What are behavioural indications of failure to function adequately?
- Behaviours that are dangerous, irrational or unpredictable.
- Behaviours that cause personal distress or distress to others (observer discomfort).
On the whole, failure to function adequately is where…
…you are abnormal if you cannot function adequately in everyday situations.
Advantages of failure to function adequately defintion?
- Practical applications.
E - DSM, GAF for diagnosing severity of mental health issues (objective).
E - Useful.
Disadvantages of failure to function adequately defintion?
- Relies on some subjective methods.
E - Patient’s own opinion, health practitioner observations.
E - Diagnosis not valid or reliable. - Depends on context.
E - FFA in some situations is an ‘appropriate’ way to react, like after the death of a loved one.
E - Cannot be consistently applied. - Depends on context.
E - Some people can function adequately but still be suffering from a mental health disorder (anorexia).
E - Cannot be consistently applied. - Culturally relative.
E - Functioning adequately means different expectations in different cultures.
E - Cannot be consistently applied.
What is the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?
- Idea put forward by Jahoda in 1958.
- Focus on positives, rather than negatives.
- The notion of mental health, rather than mental illness.
- Jahoda outlined 6 major criteria for optimal living which she believed promoted psychological health and wellbeing.
What are the 6 criteria of ideal mental health?
- Positive attitude towards self.
- Self-actualisation of one’s potential.
- Resistance to stress.
- Personal autonomy.
- Accurate perception of reality.
- Mastery of/adapting to environment.
On the whole, deviation from ideal mental health is where…
…anyone unable to show any of these qualities would be vulnerable to mental health disorders.
Advantages of deviation from ideal mental health?
- Focuses on positives, not negative.
E - Mental health.
E - Better than others. - Practical application.
E - Easy to identify which aspect is missing. Used in counselling. Self-help.
E - Work on the things that are missing. Improves mental health.
Disadvantages of deviation from ideal mental health?
- Meeting all 6 criteria is demanding.
E - Most people will fall short. Too difficult.
E - Most people will be abnormal. Defects object of a definition. - Culturally relative.
E - Collectivist groups, individuals are not a priority. Some criteria are only relative to individualistic cultures.
E - Cannot generalise to other cultures.
What is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?
- Mathematical method of defining abnormality.
- Abnormality should be based on infrequency; if it occurs rarely then it is abnormal.
- Idea that human attributes fall into a normal distribution within the population.
Examples of mental health disorders for statistical infrquency?
- IQ = 5%
- Schizophrenia = 1%
- OCD = 3%
Explain why IQ fits into the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?
- Mean IQ = 100.
- Standard deviation = 15.
- 68% of population fall into one standard deviation from mean (85-115).
- 95% fall two standard deviations from mean (70-130).
- 5% that fall more than two standard deviations from mean = abnormal.
Advantages of statistical infrequency definition?
- Objective.
E - Mathematical nature means it is clear what is abnormal and what is not. Quantative.
E - No opinion involved. No bias. - A useful overview.
E - Looks at whole picture, takes entire population into account.
E - Can give useful insight into particular characteristics.
Disadvantages of statistical infrequency definition?
- Inflexible.
E - States that scores in the top or bottom 2.5% are abnormal, but some behaviour deemed abnormal by the DSM would not fit within that definition. Depression = 25-30%.
E - Cannot be consistently applied. - Some abnormality is desirable.
E - High IQ.
E - Cannot always apply. - Cut off point is subjectively determined (based on trait you are measuring).
E - Some traits = 1%. Other traits = 5%.
E - Not consistent.
On the whole, statistical infrequency states that…
…if an attribute occurs rarely, then it is abnormal.
