Definitions of abnormality

List four definitions of abnormality

List four definitions of abnormality

Deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, statistical infrequency, deviation from ideal mental health

What is ‘deviation from social norms’?

Any behaviour that does not conform to societal expectations is abnormal.

2 strengths of deviation from social norms

1 - clearly defined criteria for abnormality

2 - provides socially accepted developmental norms against which abnormality can be recognised

2 limitations of deviation from social norms

1 - ethnocentric bias

2 - era/context dependence

What is ‘failure to function adequately’?

Seven criteria are used to rate the patient’s level of social, occupational and psychological functioning under the assumption that people with mental disorders find it difficult to cope with everyday activities.

1 strength of failure to function adequately

Criteria fulfil what people consider to be indicators of mental disorder

2 limitations of failure to function adequately

1 - subjective

2 - cultural relativity

What is ‘statistical infrequency’?

Any behaviour whose occurrence falls outside of two standard deviations either side of the mean is consider to be abnormal

1 strength of statistical infrequency

Provides objective, numerical criteria against which some aspects of performance can be quantified

2 limitations of statistical infrequency

1 - no differentiation between desirable and undesirable (e.g. high IQ and low IQ)

2 - some disorders are statistically frequent, but still classified as abnormal (e.g. depression affects 10% not 5% of population)

What is ‘deviation from ideal mental health’?

Six criteria are used to assess mental healthiness, and the absence of these qualities indicates mental disorder

What are the criteria for ideal mental health?

Self actualisation, positive self-attitudes, resistance to stress, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, mastery of environment

What is the mnemonic for criteria of ideal mental health?

Students should revise all relevant materials

Self, self-attitudes, resistance, autonomy, reality, mastery

2 strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?

1 - a positive approach to abnormality and emphasises what people should do rather than cannot do

2 - identifies areas of disfunction which can be targeted using therapy

2 limitations of deviation from ideal mental health?

1 - cultural differences (eg hallucinations desirable in some cultures but not others)

2 - subjectivity