Definitions of abnormality

• What is statistical infrequency?

  Statistically unusual behaviour being deemed as abnormal. Objective and mathematical, working on the idea that was is INFREQUENT is abnormal.
• What are statistical norms and when is behaviour considered abnormal?

  Behaviour that is commonly seen amongst a population. Behaviour is only considered abnormal once it reaches two standard deviations away from the norm.
• What is a strength of the statistical infrequency definition?

  Real world application: used in clinical testing and to diagnose disorders like intellectual disability (IQ test) and depression (Beck's depression inventory)
• What is a weakness of the statistical infrequency definition?

  Infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative. Would we consider someone with a low depression score as abnormal? Shows that infrequency does not always equal abnormality in the general sense and is not the sole basis for defining abnormality.
• What are social norms and what does it mean to deviate from social norms?

  Social norms are unwritten rules for acceptable behaviour in society and can also be policed by laws. Deviation is behaviour that is different from the expected standards in a community and is considered abnormal.
• What is a strength of DFSN?


  Real world application: proves to be useful in clinical practice, for example deviation from social norms is a characteristic of antisocial personality disorder and can be used to detect/diagnose this.
• What are two weaknesses of DFSN?

  1. Reductionist: it cannot be a sole explanation for disorder. With ASPD, failure to function adequately must also be present to qualify for diagnosis and cannot be made on DFSN alone.

  
  

  2. Cultural variation: social norms vary with different cultures. For example, jaywalking is considered a serious crime in the USA and Germany yet is more casual in the UK. Shows subjectivity and a lack of standardised norms
• What is failure to function adequately? What are Rosenhan and Seligman's 7 features describing this?

  Failure to function adequately is when an individual loses the basic abilities to cope with day-to-day life.

  1. Personal distress: depression and anxiety

  2. Maladaptive behaviour: stops individuals attaining their life goals

  3. Unpredictability: impulsive behaviour

  4. Irrationality

  5. Observer discomfort: causes others discomfort

  6. Violation of moral standards: theirs and societys

  7. Unconventionality: goes against social norms
• What is a strength of failure to function adequately?

  Represents a sensible threshold for help: 25% of people in the UK experience mental health issues and would only seek professional help once they fail to function normally, showing societal contribution.
• What are two weaknesses of failure to function adequately?

  1. Some aspects of failing to function adequately are subjective like people's life choices. For example, some people may not have a job or a permanent address but this does not make them abnormal, showing that different people have different ideas of what adequate function is.

  
  

  2. Circumstances where failure to function adequately may be present such as bereavement would not make a person abnormal. They may fail to cope for some time yet this is a normal stage of bereavement
• What is deviation from ideal mental health? What are Jahoda's 6 criteria for ideal mental health?

  Occurs when someone does not meet the criteria for good/ideal mental health. Jahoda's 6 criteria are:

  1. Positive self attitude: have self respect and positive self concept

  2. Personal growth and self actualisation: becoming everything one is capable of and experiencing character development

  3. Autonomy: being independent and self reliant, able to make personal decisions

  4. Integration (resisting stress): having effective coping strategies and able to deal with everyday anxiety-provoking situations

  5. Accurate perception of reality: having an objective and realistic view of the world

  6. Environmental mastery: being competent in aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Having the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
• What is a strength of deviation from ideal mental health?

  Positive approach to psychology: focuses on what is desirable rather than negative about our minds and represents a sensible and refreshing checklist for help with mental health. Was recognised by the positive psychology movement
• What are weaknesses of deviation from ideal mental health?

  1. High standards: very few of us attain all of Jahoda's criteria for mental health and it can be disheartening to see such a high threshold to meet to be considered normal.

  
  

  2. Cultural variation: not all cultures share the same aspects/ goals for ideal mental health. Individualist cultures may wish to be independent and autonomous, whereas collectivist cultures emphasise growth as a community and helping others.