PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - Definitions of abnormality Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?
- Statistical infrequency
- Deviation from social norms
- Failure to function adequately
- Deviation from ideal mental health
Give an overview of statistical infrequency
“Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic”
So when their behaviour is shown as an anomaly to normal distribution
The easiest way to define anything ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ is seeing how often we come across it
Relatively normal behaviour or characteristics = ‘normal’
Behaviour that is unusual = ‘abnormal’
Give an example of statistical infrequency
It can be used when we are looking at something that can be reliably measured - like IQ
The average score on an IQ test is 100 - below and above this figure will be obtained by fewer people
This is called normal distribution
The average is set at 100. 68% of people have scored between 85-115
Only 2% scored below 70 which is very ‘unusual’ or ‘abnormal’ - they are likely to recieve a diagnosis of a psychological disorder (intellectual disability disorder - IDD)
Give 2 strengths of statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality
- Real-world application - Statistical infrequency is useful
It’s used in clinical practice as a way to diagnose individuals and to assess the severity of an individual symptoms
A diagnosis of Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD) is someone under 70 on the IQ test
An example of statistical infrequency is the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
A score of 30+ (top 5% of respondents) is interpreted as indicating severe depression
This shows that the value of the statistical infrequency criterion is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes - Access support - Some unusual people benefit from being ‘abnormal’
Someone with a very low IQ score and has been diagnosed with intellectual disability is able to access support
Someone with a very high BDI score will be able to access therapy
Give 2 limitations of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality
- Unusual characteristics can be positive - For every person that has an IQ of 70 (low) there are people with an IQ above 130 (high)
We don’t think of the highest scorer as ‘abnormal’
We wouldn’t think that someone with a very low depression score on the BDI was ‘abnormal’
Although statistical infrequency can form part of assessment/ diagnostic procedures, it shouldn’t be used to make a sole diagnosis - Not everyone benefits from a label - However, someone with a low IQ may wish to not take on a ‘label’ as there may be social stigma attached
They may be able to cope with their chosen lifestyle and not need any support
Give an overview of deviation from social norms
“Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society”
When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave they may be defined as abnormal
Societies and social groups make collective judgements and ‘correct’ behaviours in particular circumstances
Social norms are different between generations and cultures
There are relatively few behaviours that are considered universally abnormal because they breach social norms
This includes historical differences within the same society
eg. Homosexuality was considered abnormal in our culture in the past and continues to be abnormal (illegal) in some cultures
Give an example of deviation from social norms
Antisocial personality disorder - A person with antisocial personality disorder (APD, psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible
The manual used by psychiatrists to diagnose mental disorders (the DSM-5) states that one important symptom of APD is a “failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour”
We are making the social judgements that psychopaths are abnormal because they don’t conform to our moral standards
What is a strength of deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?
- Real world application - Deviation from social norms is used in clinical practice
Defining antisocial personality disorder is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour
Recklessness and aggression are all deviations from social norms
Norms also play a part in diagnosing schizotypal personality disorder. The term ‘strange’ is used to characterize the thinking, behaviour and appearance of people with the disorder
This shows that deviation from social norms has value in psychiatry
Give a limitation of deviation of social norms as a definition of abnormality
- Cultural and situational relativism - One limitation is the variability between social norms in different cultures and different situations
Different groups have different standards
Example (schizophrenia) - hearing voices is the norm in some cultures (as messages from ancestors/god) but it would be seen as a sign of abnormality in most of the UK
Aggressive and decietful behaviour in family life is more acceptable than in the context of corporate deal-making
This means that it’a difficult to judge from social norms across different situations and cultures
Give an overview of failure to function adequately
“Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day life”
Failure to function adequately is when a person crosses the line between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ and can no longer cope with the demands of every day life
This may be as simple as not maintaining basic health standards like nutrition and hygiene
But it can also be if they are unable to hold down a job or maintain relationships with the people around them
What did Rosenham and Seligman (1989) propose regarding failure to function adequately?
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) proposed some signs of failing to cope. These include:
- They may no longer conform to interpersonal rules, eg: maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space
- They experience severe personal distress
- They behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous
Give an example of failure to function adequately
Intellectual disability disorder - Previously we’ve looked at having a low IQ (a score below 70) to be the criterion for having IDD
However, a diagnosis would not just be made on this basis - an individual must also be failing to function adequately before a diagnosis would be given
What is a strength of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
- Represents a threshold for help - Most of the population will have some symptoms of mental disorders at some point in our lives
Around 25% of people living in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year, however, most people carry on when they have fairly severe symptoms
It tends to be at the point of failure to function adequately that people seek professional help or are noticed and referred for help by others
This criterion means that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
What are the limitations of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?
- Discrimination and social control - It can be very hard to say that someone is failing to function or just deviating from social norms
Not having a job or having a permanent address might seem like failing to function but some people with alternative lifestyles choose to live ‘off-grid’
Those who enjoy high-risk leisure activities or unusual spiritual practices could be classed as irrational and perhaps a danger to themselves
If we treat these behaviours as ‘failures’ of adequate functioning, we may limit freedom - Failure to function might not be abnormal - There are some circumstances when most of us would fail to cope for a period of time eg: bereavement, relationship breakdown
It might be unfair to label those people as ‘abnormal’ as they are reacting to difficult circumstances
Also, failure to function is no less real just because the cause is obvious (eg: bereavement). These people may still need professional help to adjust to their circumstances
Give an overview of deviation from ideal mental health
“Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health”
A different way to look at normality and abnormality is to think about what makes someone ‘normal’ and psychologically healthy
Then you are able to identify anyone who deviates from this ideal
By looking at what is ‘normal’ and being psychologically healthy, we are able to identify and focus on those that deviate from this ideal
There is sometimes an overlap between what we might call deviation from ideal mental health and failure to function adequately
What did Marie Jahoda (1958) do regarding deviation from ideal mental health
She suggested we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria:
- We have no symptoms or distress
- We are rational and can percieve ourselves accurately
- We self-actualise (strive to reach our potential)
- We can cope with stress
- We have a realistic view of the world
- We have good self-esteem and lack guilt
- We are independent of other people
- We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?
- A comprehensive definition - Jahoda’s concept covers most of the reasons why people may seek (be referred) help with mental health
An individual’s mental health can then be looked at by a number of professionals who might take different theoretical views:- Psychiatrist - focus on the symptoms
- Counsellor - focus on self-actualisation
This means that ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals
Give some limitations of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality
- May be culture-bound - Some of the criterion for ideal mental health are more relevant in the USA and Europe (individualist countries)
Self actualisation can be seen as self-indulgent in some cultures
Even within Europe there is quite a bit of variation on personal independence, eg: high in Germany and low in Italy
What defines success in our working, social and love-lives is very different in different cultures
This means that it is very difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another - Extremely high standards - Very few people are able to achieve all of Jahoda’s criteria for mental health all of the time (and be able to maintain them)
It can be disheartening to see an impossible set of standards to live up to
On the positive side, it might be good having such a comprehensive set of criterion for mental health to work towards
This can be useful for someone wanting to understand and improve their mental health
