Definitions of abnormality

Definitions of abnormality

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Statistical infrequency
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health

What is statistical infrequency and what does it refer to?

Any behaviour that occurs relatively rarely is thought of as abnormal

Refers to the conditions that are rare compared to the normal

When is statistical infrequency most useful?

When dealing with human characteristics that can be reliably measured

What is included within statistical infrequency?

Scores for a particular behaviour - majority of scores will cluster around the average

What is a strength of S.I?

Real world application

RWA - strength of S.I

P- useful in diagnosis
E- BDI assesses depression, only 5% score 30+ which indicates severe depression
L- therefore showing usefulness within diagnosis and assessment processes

What is a weakness of S.I?

Unusual characteristics can still be positive

Infrequency can still be positive - weakness

P- just because a behaviour may be infrequent, doesn't mean it's abnormal or undesirable
E- IQ scores >130 are unusual, just like those <70, but this isn't undesirable and doesn't require treatment
L- therefore despite S.I being apart of defining abnormality, this can't be the sole basis

What is deviation from social norms?

Anyone who behaves differently from standards of behaviour, deviates from social norms and are classed as abnormal

What can be different about unacceptable behaviours?

Some rules about such behaviours are implicit whereas others are policed by laws

How do acceptable and unacceptable behaviour differ? + example

They differ over place and time due to cultural relativism

Eg. Homosexuality used to be considered abnormal and a mental disorder as well as being against the law, however in the UK this has since changed

What is a strength of DFSN?

Real world application

RWA - strength

P - useful in diagnosis
E - for antisocial personality disorder, diagnosis requires a failure to conform to ethical standards
L - therefore DFSN can be useful in psychiatric diagnosis

What is a weakness of DFSN?

Social norms are culturally relative

culturally relative - weakness

P - what is considered abnormal in 1 culture may be considered normal in another
E - hearing voices is acceptable in some cultures but may be seen as abnormal in the UK
L - meaning cultural norms of patient should be considered

What is failure to function adequately?

Not being able to cope with everyday living (eg. Eating regularly)

This can also cause distress and suffering for the individual and/or others around them

When is this judgement not appropriate?

If it distresses only others but not the individual

What did Rosenhan and Seligman claim? (3)

Suggested when someone isn't coping they:
No longer conform to interpersonal rules
Experience severe personal distress
Behave in a way that's irrational or dangerous

What is a strength of failure to function adequately?

Provides a threshold for professional help

Providing threshold for help - strength

P - majority continue with day-to-day life, but when we stop functioning adequately people seek or are referred to help
E- MIND claims 25% of us experience symptoms of a disorder to some degree
L- criteria provides a way to target treatment and services to those who need them most

What is a weakness of inability to function adequately?

Can lead to discrimination

Discrimination - weakness

P - hard to distinguish failure to function adequately and conscious decisions to deviate
E - people may choose to take part in high risk leisure activities
L - therefore some who make such choices may be labelled abnormal and have their freedom restricted

What did Jahoda suggest about deviation from ideal mental health?

Claimed we define physical illness in part by looking at at the absence of physical health (eg. Normal blood pressure), when there's an absence we indicate illness. We should do the same for mental health

What is the criteria of ideal mental health? 8

No symptoms of distress

We're rational and perceive ourselves accurately

We self-actualise

We can cope with stress

We have a realistic view of the world

We have good self esteem

We're independent

We can successfully work, love and enjoy leisure

What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

Comprehensive approach

Comprehension approach - strength

P - includes a range of criteria for mental health and covers most of reasons for why we may need help
E - use any point from criteria
L - provides a checklist against which we can use to assess ourselves and others

What is a weakness of DFIMH?

May be culture-bound

Culture-bound - weakness

P - some criteria may be limited to USA and Western Europe
E - self-actualisation isn't recognised in most of the world
L - difficult to apply concept of ideal mental health from one culture to anothe