Topic 1: Definitions of abnormality

What is statistical deviation?

Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic, for example being less intelligent than most of the population. However it doesn't account for behaviours that are statistically frequent. E.G. depression but considered undesirable

Statistical Deviation AO3

Strength

😊 Defining abnormality using statistical deviation is objective as it is based on real, unbiased data where no judgements are made and being abnormal depends solely on whether the individual has a less common characteristic than most of the population.

Weaknesses

☹️ Just because very few people display certain behaviours does make the behaviour statistically abnormal, but this doesn't mean it requires treatment to return to normal. This method would never be used alone to make a diagnosis for this reason

☹️ If a person has a very low IQ but is not distressed and is living a functional life, then they would not benefit from a diagnosis and a diagnosis may even cause a negative effect on the way they are treated and viewed.

What are social norms?

Accepted and expected unwritten rules within a given society of how to behave

What is deviation from social norms?

Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society. Social norms vary across cultures, situations, ages and even gender.

Social Norms AO3

Strength- This definition of abnormality protects society from the effects an individual's abnormal behaviour can have on others.

Strength- It also has real world application as it is used in clinical practice to make a diagnosis.

Weakness- Interpretations about the same behaviour differs from culture to culture and this creates problems for people from different cultures living within another culture group.

Weakness- This definition is subjective and based on the opinions of what is deemed to be acceptable and expected rules within a given society. Psychologists such as Szasz see the term mental illness as a form of social control and society's way of controlling individuals who don't conform to the norms.

What is failure to function adequately?

When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living

What are some signs of a person failing to function adequately?

Poor hygiene, not washing, poor diet, not eating, poor social skills, not going to work

What did Rosenhan and Seligman propose?

They proposed some signs that can be used to determine when someone is not coping with the demands of day-to-day living.

These include:

-When a person experiences severe personal distress

- When a persons behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others

- When a person no longer maintains eye contact while talking and doesn't respect people's personal space.

Failure to function adequately AO3

😊 This definition recognises the personal experience of sufferers and allows mental illness to be considered from the perception of the individuals suffering from them.

😊 It also outlines and sets a threshold for when it is clear someone needs professional help. If they are not coping and are a danger to themselves or others.

☹️Abnormality is not always accompanied by signs of failing to function. Psychopaths can cause great harm and are seen as abnormal yet can appear to be normal.

☹️Psychiatrists still have to judge whether a person is failing to function adequately and this is a subjective process. Someone may have lost a loved one and fail to function adequately for a short period of time. This does not make them abnormal.

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

The absence of criteria for good mental health

What did Marie Jahoda suggest about mental health?

She suggested that we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria:

- Positive attitude towards oneself

- Self actualisation

- Autonomy ( being independent)

- Resisting stress

- Accurate perception of reality

- Environmental mastery

The more criteria an individual fails to meet and the further away they are from meeting the criteria the more abnormal they are

Deviation from mental health AO3

😊This is a positive definition as it places focus on desirable characteristics for ideal mental health and if people know what ideal mental health looks like, they might be motivated to achieve it.

😊It is a comprehensive as it includes a range of characteristics that link to mental health rather than just mental disorder. This means that mental health concerns can be addressed by using a number of therapeutic methods, not just one.

☹️The criteria for mental health are too demanding and unrealistic. Most people do not achieve all of Jahoda's criteria for mental health at the same time or keep them up for very long.

☹️It is culturally biased. Collectivist cultures see autonomy as undesirable. Western cultures are more concerned with individual achievement and goals so the definition is culturally biased.