Ways of Defining Abnormality

What is DSM-5

• contains symptoms and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders

• provides common language for clinicians to communicate about their patients

• establishes consistent and reliable diagnoses that can be used in research of mh disorders

What is statistical infrequency and give an example

behaviour is seen as seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon

IQ and IDD test - reliably measured using average

normal IQ - clusters around mean IQ

What is deviation from social norms

abnormal bhvr is when thinking our behaviour violates the unwritten rules of society

society will define bhvr as abnormal if it isnt deemed as acceptable

what is an example of deviation from social norms

impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible

What is failure to function adequately

when someone cannot cope with the demands of everyday life

What did Rosenhan and Seligman say were the 3 signs of not coping

• no longer conforms to interpersonal rules

• experience of severe personal distress

• irrational or dangerous behaviour to themselves or others

what is an example of this?

paranoid personality disorder

What is deviation from ideal mental health

based on the idea that there are distinct markers that signal ideal mental health