Psychopathology: Definitions of Abnormality Flashcards
What is the DSM?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders —> a list of mental disorders with clinical symptoms that is used to diagnose mental disorders.
Define cultural relativism?
The view that behaviour can’t be judged properly unless it’s viewed in the culture in which it originates.
What are the 4 definitions for abnormality?
Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation fro ideal mental health
What is statistical infrequency?
Behaviour is classified as abnormal if it deviates from the average (mean).
It’s a quantitative definition that requires a clear cut off point usually using a normal distribution curve.
The idea that the less frequent a behaviour is the more abnormal it is.
The difference between normal and abnormal is therefore, one of quantity rather than quality —> the majority of people are normal and the minority, abnormal.
What are the 4 AO3 points for statistical infrequency?
+Clear definition
+Practical uses
-Cut off point is subjective
-Some abnormal behaviours are desirable
(+AO3) Why is statistical infrequency having a clear definition a strength?
Statistical infrequency offers the perspective of clear guidelines for identifying behaviour as either normal or abnormal.
Introduces an element of objectivity into the process of defining abnormality so that different mental health care workers can view the same kind of behaviour in the same way.
This is a strength as it offers a more scientific was of measuring abnormality, reducing subjectivity and therefore leading to a more accurate way of identifying abnormality.
(+AO3) What are the practical uses for statistical infrequency?
Used to assess the severity of a disorder compared to a ‘baseline’ value e.g.
Sz rate of 1%, but subtypes are more rare. Often used in diagnosis with failure to function adequately.
(-AO3) Why is the cut off point for statistical infrequency subjective?
(Link to symptoms of depression)
If abnormality is defined in terms of statistical infrequency we need to decide where to separate normality and abnormality e.g. a symptom of depression is difficulty sleeping. Some people may deem it abnormal to sleep less than 6 hours while others may think that the cut-off should be 5 hours. Therefore, making it difficult to define abnormality in terms of statistical infrequency.
(-AO3) Why are some abnormal behaviours desirable and how is it a weakness of statistical infrequency?
Very few people have an IQ over 150 but this abnormality is desirable rather than undesirable. Equally there a ‘normal’ behaviours that are undesirable e.g. experiencing depression. Therefore, using statistical infrequency to define abnormality means that we’re unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours.
What is deviation from social norms?
Behaviour is seen as abnormal if it violates unwritten rules (social norms) about what is acceptable in a particular behaviour.
Sometimes these are written (explicit) and form laws that govern behaviour and sometimes these rules are unwritten (implicit) but generally accepted (e.g. not standing too close to people at a cash register).
Whether implicit or explicit, social norms allow for the regulation of normal social behaviour.
All societies have standards or norms for appropriate behaviours and beliefs (expectations of how people should behave and what they should think).
An example of deviation from social norms are laughing g at a funeral (implicit) or exposing yourself in public (explicit).
What are the 3 AO3 points for deviation from social norms?
-Susceptible to abuse
+Culturally relative
+Flexible
(-AO3) Why is deviation from social norms susceptible to abuse?
Suggests behaviours that aren’t typically accepted as normal in a culture are a mental health disorder for example, homosexuality used to be in DSM. Therefore, ‘abnormal’ people are more susceptible institutional and social abuse and discrimination.
(+AO3) How is deviation from social norms culturally relative?
Social norms are defined by culture.
Western norms can’t be applies elsewhere e.g. hearing voices in many African cultures is positive as it shows an connection with their ancestors.
However in western cultures it’s a symptom of SZ. This can be addressed by cultural differences in diagnostic systems.
(+AO3) How is deviation from social norms flexible?
Social norms are flexible to account for the individual and situation e.g. throwing tantrums and hitting people is socially normal for a toddler, but would be a sign of mental disorder in adulthood.
Similarly, walking around the house naked may be normal but doing it in public would be a sign of a mental disorder.
Define failure to function adequately?
An inability to cope with everyday life.
Their behaviour is seen a maladaptive (detrimental to survival) disrupting their ability to work and conduct satisfying relationships and causing personal distress as well as distress to others.
Research has has suggested key characteristics of ‘failing to function adequately’
