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Flashcards in Definitions of Abnormality Deck (31)
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1
Q

What are the four definitions of abnormality?

A
  1. Deviation from social norms
  2. Failure to function adequately
  3. Statistical infrequency
  4. Deviation from ideal mental health
2
Q

What is deviation from social norms?

A

Abnormality can be judged by looking at behaviour with regards to social norms which are approved and expected ways to behave in a particular society. Therefore any deviation from social norms shows that individual to be psychologically abnormal

3
Q

What is an example of deviation from social norms?

A

Eating three meals a day but someone with anorexia won’t eat anything

4
Q

What are two strengths of deviation from social norms?

A

It helps people so gives society the right to intervene in abnormal people’s lives.
It distinguishes between normal and abnormal people so the definition gives a clear indication of what is and isn’t seen as normal behaviour

5
Q

What are three limitations of deviation from social norms?

A

Norms change over time e.g. attitudes towards homosexuality therefore the definition of abnormality should be changed or updated
Norms can be very different in different cultures (cultural relativism) therefore abnormality should be amended depending on the culture you are in
Behaviour that deviates from social norms is not always a sign of psychopathology e.g. people doing bizarre things for a charity therefore the context of behaviour has to be taken into account before a diagnosis of abnormality is given

6
Q

What is failure of function adequately?

A

It considers psychological abnormality to be an inability to live a normal life. This means the ability to get up in the morning, go to work, engage in social relationships and feel a range of normal emotions. Seven features were considered and the more an individual has the more that are classed as abnormal

7
Q

Who created the seven functions about personal dysfunction?

A

Rosenhan and Seligman

8
Q

What are the seven features that Rosenhan and Seligman created?

A

Irrationality, observer discomfort, unpredictability, maladaptive behaviour, personal distress, violation of moral standards and unconventionality

9
Q

What is irrationality?

A

When a persons behaviour does not make sense to others and people may find it difficult to communicate with them

10
Q

What is observer discomfort?

A

Where other may find the behaviour uncomfortable to observe

11
Q

What is unpredictability?

A

Behaviour that wouldn’t be expected given the particular circumstances

12
Q

What is maladaptive behaviour?

A

If behaviour interferes with a persons usual daily routine

13
Q

What is personal distress?

A

A key feature of abnormality that includes depression and anxiety

14
Q

What is violation of moral standards?

A

Displaying behaviour violating societies moral standards

15
Q

What is unconventionality?

A

Displaying unusual behaviours

16
Q

What are two strengths of failure to function adequately?

A

It’s observable behaviour so it allows judgement op y others of whether the individuals are functioning properly
It uses a checklist so individuals can use it to assess their level of abnormality and it provides quantitative data

17
Q

What are three limitations of failure of function adequately?

A

It ignores the context but the behaviour needs to be viewed in the context before a diagnosis of abnormality is given
Psychological disorders may not prevent people from functioning adequately e.g. people who show no guilt (serial killer) may be perfectly normal most of the time so that definition fails to include individuals who do have a psychological disorder and can function adequately
Cultural relativism as behaviours ,au vary from culture to culture so the definition should be amended depending on the culture you are in

18
Q

What is statistical infrequency?

A

Behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal. A normal distribution curve is used and most people will be on or near the mean. Any individual who falls outside of the normal distribution, usually about 5% of the population (2sd) are said to be abnormal

19
Q

What are two strengths of statistical infrequency?

A

It’s objective as a cut off point has been agreed therefore it relies on real, unbiased data
Statistical evidence that a person has a mental disorder can be used to justify requests for psychiatric assistance

20
Q

What are four limitations of statistical infrequency?

A

It’s not clear how far behaviour should deviate from the norm to be seen as abnormal
Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal e.g. high intelligence is statistically rare but desirable
Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent e.g. depression is seen to common so it’s not seem to be abnormal
Cultural relativism, what is seen as statistically normal in one culture may not be in another

21
Q

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

A

We first need to know what normal mental health is and therefore anything that deviates from this would be seen as abnormal

22
Q

Who researched deviation from ideal mental health?

A

Jahoda

23
Q

What six characteristics did Jahoda say were important for ideal mental health?

A
  1. The ability to cope with stress
  2. Self actualisation (reach full potential)
  3. A positive self concept and a sense of identity
  4. Personal autonomy (not depending on others)
  5. Environmental mastery (being contempt in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation and having the flexibility to adapt to changing life circumstances
  6. Accurate perception of reality
24
Q

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have the ability to cope with stress?

A

People with anxiety and depression can’t cope and have panic attacks

25
Q

What is an example of someone who does have self actualisation?

A

Someone with anorexia wouldn’t be able to reach their ideal body image

26
Q

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have a positive self concept?

A

Someone with anorexia would think that they are overweight and then don’t have a positive body image

27
Q

What is an example of someone that doesn’t have personal autonomy?

A

Someone with autism may need a carer at all times

28
Q

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have environmental mastery?

A

Someone with OCD would need a routine

29
Q

What is an example of someone who doesn’t have an accurate perception of reality?

A

Someone with schizophrenia would lose touch with reality

30
Q

What are two strengths of deviation from ideal mental health?

A

The definition emphasises positive achievements rather than failures and distress as it focuses on what is desirable
It permits identification of exactly what’s needed to achieve normality which allows for the creation of personal goals to work towards and achieve this which facilitates self growth

31
Q

What are two limitations of deviation from ideal mental health?

A

Jahodas list is specific to western cultures and therefore it doesn’t apply to other cultures e.g. self actualisation cannot be reached it poorer countries as their basic needs are not met therefore the definition should be amended on the culture you are in
Most people do not fulfil this ideal of mental health but this doesn’t mean that they have psychological problems