abnormality

• define psychopathology

  study of mental disorders and abnormal behaviour
• what are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

  1. statistical deviation
  2. deviation from social norms
  3. failure to function adequately
  4. deviation from ideal mental health
• outline statistical deviation

  person's behaviour is abnormal if it is statistically rare
• give an example of an abnormal behaviour from statistical deviation

  less than 2.2% have an IQ less than 70 which is described as intellectual disability disorder
• strength of statistical infrequency - reliability & validity

  • objective
  • relies on measurable and numerical data
  • reduces subjective bias
• outline deviation from social norms

  person's behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates unwritten rules about acceptable behaviour in a particular social group

  • makes others feel threatened or uncomfortable
• explain the link between deviation from social norms and culture

  barely any behaviours are considered universally abnormal

  • homosexuality is viewed as illegal in some cultures
  • brunei introduced new laws made sex between men punishable with stoning to death
• give an example of abnormal behaviour based on deviation from social norms

  antisocial personality disorder

  • absence of prosocial internal standards
  • failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour
• strength of social norms - real-world application

  • diagnosing mental disorders
  • antisocial personality disorder is based on deviation from expected social behaviour
  • practical implications on diagnosis and treatment
• outline failure to function adequately

  a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life

  • unable to perform behaviours necessary for day-to-day living
• who suggested a set of characteristics establishing if someone is failing to function adequately?

  rosenhan and seligman in 1989
• outline the characteristics set out by rosenhan & seligman for failing to function adequately

  • maladaptiveness
  • unconventionality
  • irrationality
  • discomfort
  • violates moral standards
• strength of failure to function - applicable

  • practical application to diagnosis
  • professionals assess ability to work, maintain relationships and self-care
  • useful in clinical settings
• outline deviation from ideal mental health

  behaviour that deviates from normal is regarded as abnormal
• who proposed the criteria for deviation from ideal mental health?

  Jahoda in 1958
• what is Jahoda's criteria that indicates abnormality if there is any absences?

  • self attitudes
  • self actualisation
  • integration
  • autonomy
  • accurate perception of reality
  • mastery of environment
• strength of ideal mental health - positive approach

  • jahoda sets clear goals
  • allows professionals to identify ways to improve mental well-being
  • holistic approach
• weakness of statistical infrequency - uncommon traits

  • doesn't distinguish between desirable and undesirable traits
  • high IQ is statistically rare but not an abnormality
  • lacks usefulness
• weakness of statistical infrequency - cultural relativism

  • varies between cultures
  • spiritual experiences are abnormal in western cultures but normal in non-western
  • definition is ethnocentric
• weakness of social norms - culture bias

  • social norms vary across cultures
  • hearing voices is seen as schizophrenia in western cultures but spiritual experience in african & asian cultures
  • definition is ethnocentric
• weakness of social norms - lacks consistency

  • social norms lack temporal validity
  • homosexuality was a mental disorder under DSM until 1973
  • definition is historically biased
• weakness of failure to function - lacks validity

  • dysfunction is subjective
  • high-functioning mental disorders
  • lacks accuracy
• weakness of failure to function - cultural differences

  • not universal
  • some cultures living alone and avoiding social interactions is normal
  • definition is ethnocentric
• weakness of ideal mental health - lacks practicality

  • unrealistic criteria
  • people experience stress or negative emotions but doesn't mean they're abnormal
  • unreasonably high standard
• weakness of ideal mental health - cultural bias

  • jahoda's criteria reflects western and individualistic values
  • autonomy is emphasised in western societies but not valued in collectivist cultures
  • definition is ethnocentric