definitions of abnormality

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality

1. Statistical

2. Deviation from social norms

3. failure to function adequately

4. Deviation from ideal mental health

Define Statistical infrequency

This occurs when an individuals behaviour or characteristics falls 2 standard deviation from the mean then its abnormal

what are the 4 definitions of abnormality

1. Statistical

2. Deviation from social norms

3. failure to function adequately

4. Deviation from ideal mental health

Define Statistical infrequency

This occurs when an individuals behaviour or characteristics falls 2 standard deviation from the mean then its abnormal

Define Deviation from social norms

This is when someone’s behaviour differs from the accepted standards of behaviour in that community or society

define failure to function adequately

This is when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demand of day to day life

Deviation from ideal mental health

Occurs when someone doesn’t meet the criteria for ideal mental health

what are the criteria for ideal mental health

environmental mastery= the ability to adapt and thrive in new situations

autonomy = the ability to act independently and trust in ones own ability

resistance to stress= the internal strength to cope with anxiety

self actualisation= to reach ones fully potential

positive attitude towards ones self = high self esteem and self respect

accurate perception of reality = the ability to see the world as it is without being distorted by persons bias

How can we work out who is abnormal using statistical definition

Using a normal distribution curve this shows the average spread of a characteristic or behaviour in a population. In the centre is the mean median and mode which shall be the highest point the most common behaviour or characteristic. Abnormality occurs at either end of the curve

explain the normal distribution curve for IQ

In the centre is the average IQ of 100 this will be the mean median and mode. The graph will fall from its peak symmetrically on both sides as IQ gets higher and lower at 2 standard deviation is where we find abnormality this is. That mean people this an IQ of 70 and bellow and 130 and above are abnormal.

Name one strength of the statistical definition related to real world application

P= there are   Real-life application: diagnoses

E= for example its aided the diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder (IDD).

E= For example, IDD requires an IQ score below 70 (bottom 2%) . This definition enables us to provide support to those who need it. As well as being able to assess and measurement the severity of their symptoms and condition compared to statistical norms

L= this helps many get the right amount of support and offers an objective approach removing subjectivity.

One strength is its objective (S)

p= One strength of this definition is that its objective

E= All the other definition are subjective and whether people are defined as abnormal may vary from psychologist to psychologist.

L= this is an easy to use exact definition which removes subjective opinion and bias which the clinician might have.

One limitation related to cut offs (s)

P= One limitation is the harsh cut off point of exactly 2 standard deviations outside the mean is abnormal.

E= For example people who IQ is 2 standard deviation outside the mean have an IQ of 70 and a condition know as intellectual disability disorder. Some one with an IQ of just 71 would be consider normal and not in need of support using this definition.

L= These harsh cut off deprive people off support that they need and don’t see conditions as carrying degrees of severity.

Another limitation related to high IQ (S)

P= one limitation is that those with a high IQ are also considered abnormal

E= those with IQ of 130 are just as rare as those with IQ of 70

E= A good definition should not identity those with a high IQ of 130 as having a psychopathology and in need of extra support

Another limitation related to types of mental illness (S)

P= Another limitation is that common psychopathologies such as anxiety and depression wont be counted as abnormal under this definition.

E= the NHS found that 17% of people survey met the criteria for mental health disorder. As this is over 2 % then there normal and using the definition might not be provide with support

L= this isn’t appropriate to use when considering society high instances of mental health disorders.

What are the criteria for failure to function

1. maladaptive behaviour= Individual behave in ways that go against their long term interests

2. Personal anguish= The individual suffers from anxiety and distress

3. Observer discomfort= The individuals behaviour causes distress to those around them

4. Irrationality= It is difficult to understand the motivation behind the individuals

5. unpredictability= unexpected behaviour

6. Unconventionality= behaviour that doesn’t meat soceity’s standareds

one limitation is subjectivity (F)

P= One limitation is that the definition of failing to function is subjective.

E= Opinions on whether people are coping may vary from psychology

another limitation is that you can be abnormal and able to function (F)

P= One limitation is that you can be abnormal and able to function.

E= For example psychopaths can function well in society for example they often do well in roles like business and politics due to lower empathy. whilst feeling no distress themselves there are adverse consequences for those around them.

Another limitation is that maladaptive behaviour (F)

P=One limitation is that maladaptive behaviour is isn’t always and indicator of mental health

E=eg taking part in extreme sports eating unhealthy food and drinking alcohol all this risks the individuals health many would argue that there maladaptive.

E= Most people do some of these things and most would agree that its not a sign of mental illness

One strength related to individuals different stories (F)

P=One strength is that it respects the individuals and their own experience.

E= This is something that other definitions fail to do eg Statistical infrequency and deviation from social norms

L= As these definitions are base on what normal for the wider population and not what’s normal for that individual.

what is a strength of deviation from social norms

A postive evaluation of defining abnormality using social norms is it does not impose western views of abnormality on other non western cultures. For this reason it is argued diagnosing abnormality acording to social norms is not ethnocentric as it respects the cultural difference between societies.

what is a limitation of deviation from social norms is that when people change culture its hard to apply this definition

P=one is a limitation of deviation from social norms is that when people change culture its hard to apply this definition

E= for example people with afro Caribbean back ground living in the uk are 7 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than someone of afro Caribbean back ground living in a afro Caribbean nation.

E= there hearing voice and seeing angels is all part of the religious experience where as here is viewed as schizophrenia.

L= this is called category failure when western definitions of mental illness are applied to other cultures.

define category failure (ds)

when western definitions of mental illness are applied to other cultures.

punishing those trying to express there feelings (DS)

P= one limitation is that it can be see as punishing those who are trying to express there feelings and also repressing people. For example in 1992 the WHO ( world health organisation) classified homosexuality as a mental illness. This was changed due to a changes in social norms

One limitation is that its ethnocentric (IM)

one limitation is that its based in humanism which has a western bias. It pushes western ideas of mental health onto other cultures this is known as an emi construct. You can simply generlise to all people eg collectist cultures may not value autnomy in the same way that doesnt mean that they are abnormal and have poor mental health

most people would be abnormal (IM)

P= most people would be seen as abnormal or once abnormal in some part of there life. Its difficult to achieve all of these aspect constantly. Specially self actualisation some have argued that its impossible to reach other argue only a few induvials such as gandi will ever reach it

One strength is its takes a constructive holistic approach (IM)

P=One strength is its takes a constructive holistic approach

E= for only one to show how we can improve and show us what we need to achieve in order to become normal and have better mental health. also considers multifactor in diagnosis eg both lack autonomy and resistance to stress may cause you to be abnormal