1.definitions of abnormality

• define statistical infrequency 


  Implies that a disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than two standard deviations away from the mean . A person's traits, thinking or behaviour would be considered an indication of abnormality if it was numerically rare.
• what is a strength of statistical infrequency


  It can be used in the clinical diagnoses of mental health disorders as a comparison with individuals with a 'normal' value. This is used to assess the severity of the disorder e.g. the idea that schizophrenia only affects 1% of the general population
• What is a weakness of statistical infrequency


  A weakness is that it lacks the ability to account for rare and desirable and makes the assumption that any abnormal characteristics are automatically negative whereas this is not always the case e.g. having an IQ score above 130 thus being a genius would rarely by looked down upon as negative characteristics which require treatment however according to this definition being a genius would be classified as abnormal. However this definition does adopt a nomothetic approach whereby this definition has been derived from pre existing "normalities" in human behaviour this is a strength as it can therefore be used in the clinical diagnoses of mental health disorder as a comparison with a baseline or 'normal value. This is used to assess the severity of the disorder e.g. the idea that schizophrenia only affects 1% of the general population
• What is failure to function adequately

  The failure of function adequately definition was proposed by Rosenhan and Selingman,1989, and suggests that if a person's current mental state is preventing them from leading a 'normal life' alongside the associated levels of motivation and obedience to social norms then such individuals may be considered as abnormal. In general according to this definition individuals would be considered abnormal if they had an inability to cope with their everyday activities
• What is a strength of the failure to function adequately definition


  It takes into account the patient's perspective and so the final diagnosis will be comprised of the patient's subjective self reported symptoms and the psychiatrist's objective opinion this may lead to more accurate diagnoses of mental health disorders because such diagnoses are not constrained by statistical limits as with the case with statistical infrequency
• what is a weakness of the failure to function adequately definition


  There's the idea that the definition may lead to the labelling of some patients as 'strange' or 'crazy' which does little to challenge traditional negative stereotypes especially if they have a high quality of life and their illness has little impact upon themselves or others instead such discrimination or prejudice faced against them by employers or acquaintances
• what is another weakness of the failure to function adequately definition

  Another weakness is that psychopaths can cause great harm but still appear to be adequately normal. Harold Shipman, the English doctor who murdered at least 215 of his patients over a 23 year period seemed to be a respectable doctor. He maintained a job, personal hygiene and an interpersonal relationship i.e. he was married and had children. He was abnormal but didn't display features of function inadequately and so would be classed as normal according to this definition
• define the definition 'deviation from social norms'


  suggests that 'abnormal' behaviour is based upon straying away from the social norms specific to a certain culture. Social norms are the rules that a society has about what are acceptable behaviours, values and beliefs. There are general norms which are applicable to the vast majority of cultures as well as culture-specific norms. Some rules are explicit where violating them may mean breaking the law and others implicit(unspoken of) are agreed upon as a matter of convention within a society
• What is a weakness of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality 


  Due to its reliance on subjective social norms this explanation also suffers cultural relativism e.g. the hearing of voices which have no basis in reality some African cultures in particular would look upon this symptom positively viewing it as a sign of spirituality and a strong connection with ancestors as opposed to a symptom of schizophrenia this therefore suggests that the use of this definition of abnormality may lead to some discrepancies in the diagnoses of mental health disorders between cultures
• define deviation from ideal mental health

  proposed by Jahoda,1958, who looked at what would compromise the ideal mental state of an individual. The criteria included being able to self actualise, having an accurate perception of ourselves, not being distressed, being able to maintain normal levels of motivation to carry out day-to-day tasks and displaying high self-esteem. Jahoda claimed that anyone lacking any of these qualities would be vulnerable to mental disorder and therefore 'abnormal' the more characteristics they fail to meet the more abnormal they are
• What is a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality 


  Jahoda may have had an unrealistic expectation of ideal mental health with the vast majority of people being unable to acquire let alone maintain all of the criteria listed. This means that the majority of this population would be considered abnormal even if they have missed a single criteria only missing a single criteria does not merit a diagnosis. therefore deviation from ideal mental health may be considered a very limited methods of diagnosing mental health disorders.
• What is a weakness of the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

  It suffers from cultural relativism.
• How does cultural relativism affect the concept of self-actualization?

  It may be viewed as selfish in collectivist cultures.
• Why might self-actualization be more popular in individualist cultures?

  Because personal achievement is celebrated in those cultures.
• What is the difference in the perception of self-actualization between collectivist and individualist cultures?

  Collectivist cultures value group needs over individual needs, while individualist cultures prioritize personal achievement.
• What are the implications of cultural relativism on the definition of ideal mental health?


  • Cultural relativism leads to differing views on self-actualization.
  • In collectivist cultures, self-actualization may be seen as selfish.
  • In individualist cultures, it is celebrated and prioritized.