Definitions of Abnormality

What is Statistical infrequency

Statistical data used to create graphs that help determine ‘rare’ characteristics

Mean, Median and Mode used to fins a typical value

Weakness of Statistical infrequency -desirable

Some behaviours are desirable but still abnormal —> eg IQ over 150. Unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable

Weakness of Statistical infrequency - Subjective

Cut off point is subjective. Disagreements mean it is difficult to define abnormality

Weakness of Statistical infrequency -Culturally relative

Cultural relative —> some behaviours may b more frequency in different cultures eg hearing voices. There is no universal standard

Strength of Statistical infrequency - improve quality of life

Sometimes is appropriate to use as it will improve quality of life eg IQ can be used to diagnose mental illness

What is deviation from social norms

Anyone who behaves differently and it is heavily based on culture and ethnicity eg homosexuality was abnormal

Weakness of DSN -Abuse

Susceptible to abuse —> What is socially acceptable now may not have been 50 yrs ago. Thomas Szasz claimed that the concept on mental illness was simply a way to exclude nonconformists from society

Weakness of DSN - Culturally relative

Culturally relative - Social norms are defined by culture. DSM is heavily based on cultural norms is western societies

(C.P) Cultural relativism is now recognised in the 2013 DSM

Strength of DSN -Does distinguish

Does distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour, and looks at the effect of behaviour on other. Can also alert others so they can secure help for individuals

Weakness of DSN - Context

Deviance is related to context eg Beach clothes are appropriate on the beach, not in a classroom

What does Failure to function adequately mean

Not being able to cope with day-to-day life

Causes an individual stress and others (this is important as it may effect others due to an individuals lack of awareness)

WHODAS (World health organisation disability assessment - FFA 6 areas

1. Understanding and communicating

2. Self Care

3. Life Activities

4. Getting around

5. Getting along with people

6. Participation in society

Weakness of FFA - Subjective

No set decision on who judges = subjective

Weakness of FFA - Incomplete

‘Disfunctional’ Behaviour may be functional to an individual meaning the definition is incomplete

Weakness of FFA - Culturally relative

Culturally relative - Functioning is related to cultural ideas eg standards of one culture is being used to measure another

Strength of FFA - WHODAS

Does recognise the experience of the patient and it is easy to judge due to WHODAS

What/ who came up with deviation from ideal mental health

Jahoda - 6 categories

1. Self attitude and high self esteem

2. Personal growth and self actualisation

3. Integration (Cope with stress)

4. Autonomy —> Independence

5. Having an accurate perception of reality

6. Mastering the environment

   (Can sometimes overlap with FFA)

Weakness of DFIMH - Unrealistic

Unrealistic - How many people meet every single one of these? = difficult to measure

Weakness of DFIMH - Equates Physical and Mental health

Equates mental and physical health —> Jahoda looked at absence signs of physical health and suggested the same should be done for Mental health

Many MH issues dont have physical causes like PH = unlikely Mental Abnormality could be diagnosed the same way as Physical abnormality

Weakness of DFIMH - Culturally relative

Culturally relative - Jahoda’s criteria is very culture bound —> limits usefulness in certain cultures

Strength of DFIMH - Positive approach

Positive approach - Focuses on positives not negatives, holding an Alternative view on MH

Influenced positive psychology and humanistic approaches