Psychopahtology (definitions Of Abnormality) Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency and how does it define abnormality
Where we look at the statistics of a certain things such as average age of women having their first child
How does it define: we look at the media of the bell curve and look at the tails, if you are at the tails you are seen as abnormal
What is the measurement of statistical infrequency to show that they’re abnormal
Usual trait will be more than 2 standard deviations
Evaluations of statistical infrequency
Behaviours are desireable and non desireable. Stat infrequency can’t state if their behaviour was desireable or not
Definition of abnormality doesn’t mean the same for everyone (cultural differences)
The cut off points aren’t fixed, we can’t exactly see if we go pass the cut off points in order to see ourselves as abnormal
What is deviation form social norms
Norms are created by a group of people. These standards are accepted by the social group who made it. Anyone who goes against or acts different from these norms are seen as abnormal
Example of social norm
Politeness (most common)
You wouldn’t laugh in a funeral
Evaluations of deviations form social norms
+ The definition distinguishes if behaviour was desireable or non desireable compared to statistical infrequency
+ real life application: anti social personality disorder - DSM - v states that being diagnosed this is due to going against social norms and the law
- social norms can change overtime
What is failure to function adequately
Not being to cope with everyday living activities which can cause distress for the individual and others
How may judgement of failing to function adequately seen as inappropriate
A person may not be coping with every day life activities (not washing clothes or not having a full time job) but is still normal because it doesn’t affect themselves or others
AO3 of failure to function adequately
- The definition is subjective: judgement depends on who is making the decision which is the individual themselves
+ we are able to look at the patients perspective which attempts to look at their subjective experience
What is deviation from mental health
Jahoda - better to focus on positive aspects of mental health rather than the negative
Looks at how the absence of signs in normal physical health can lead to illness. Having normal temp, normal skin colour etc
She suggests that this can be applied to mental illness
What are the categories of Jahoda mental health
Personal growth
Reality perception
Autonomy
Integration
Self - attitudes
Environment
PRAISE
AO3 of deviate from ideal mental health
- how many criteria do we need missing in order to be seen as abnormal
- criteria are hard to measure
- most of us may be seen as abnormal already
- criterias are unrealistic
- some of us can’t even reach full potential
+ ideas had some influence and are in accord with the positive psychology movement
