Abnormality

• Definitions of Abnormality: What is statistical infrequency?

  • states that a behaviour is considered abnormal if it is rare or deviates alot from statistical average in a population
• examples of making formal diagnoses using statistical infrequency?

  Intellectual Development Delay:

  • involves someone having an IQ in the bottom 2% of the population

  Example of measuring severity:

  • depression can range from mild to severe, statistical infrequency can be used to measure the most severe cases of depression - those in the top 5% of the Beck Depression Inventory
• Evaluation of statistical infrequency?

  Strength:

  • provides a clear approach to defining abnormality
  • since it relies on quantifiable data, it avoids subjective judgement bias

  Limitation

  • doesn't distinguish between desirable and undesirable traits - statistical infrequency doesn't mean something is negative or a disorder e.g high IQ is statistically infrequent but seen as desirable
  • this suggests this definition may not be suitable for diagnosing all psychological conditions
• Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from Social Norms

  states that whatever a group of people are willing to accept is normal, and deviation from this will be considered abnormal
• Deviation from Social Norms - Culture

  • social norms can differ depending on culture, e.g hearing voices is considered problematic and a symptom of schizophrenia in western culture but is seen as communication with the dead in some eastern cultures
• Example of using Deviation from social norms to define abnormality?

  • people with antisocial personality disorder are defined as being manipulative and lacking empathy to others, since this goes against societal values, this is claimed as abnormal
• Evaluation of Deviation from Social Norms?

  Strength

  • helps maintain order and predictability in society by encouraging behaviours that align with the accepted standard e.g discourages harmful behaviours like aggression, identifying them as 'abnormal' helps protect individuals by reinforcing acceptable conduct

  limitation

  • subjective and culturally relative - social norms can change over time and vary across cultures, making the definition prone to bias and potential discrimination
• Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to function adequately

  • defines people who cannot cope with the demands of daily life as abnormal
• failure to function adequately: How is Rosenhan and Seligman's degrees of abnormality used?

  • attempts to identify people who need help and how much help they need depending on how many characteristics they exhibit
• failure to function adequately: Rosenhan and Seligman's characteristics of degrees of abnormality?

  • suffering - distress/discomfort
  • maladaptiveness - behaviours hindering ability to function
  • vividness and unconventional behaviour - actions dramatically different from social norms
  • unpredictability and loss of control - sudden unexpected behaviour lacking control
  • irrationality and incomprehensibility - behaviour that doesn't make sense
  • observer discomfort - actions making others feel uneasy
  • violation of morals - behaviour going against ethical norms
• using failure to function adequately to make diagnoses?

  • intellectual disability disorder would only be diagnosed when the individual is suffering in everyday life meaning intervention is required
• failure to function adequately evaluation?

  strength - takes into account personal experience

  • definition considers the impact of abnormality on a person's life, making it more relevant and humane than purely statistical
  • this means interventions can be focused on those who need it

  limitation -people can still function with mental illness

  • some individuals with severe mental illnesses can still function normally (e.g maintain a job and social life), meaning they wouldn't be classified as abnormal under this definition
  • this means that more mental illnesses can be undetected
• Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from ideal mental health

  • it attempts to understand what makes individuals normal and healthy, and deviation from this classifies as abnormal
• Jahoda's Conditions of good mental health(deviation from ideal mental health)

  • no distress
  • we are rational
  • positive self attitudes - high self esteem
  • personal growth and self actualisation - setting and achieving realistic goals
  • integration - deals with stressful situations well
  • autonomy - independent social influences
  • perception of reality - accurate, empathetic, socially sensitive
  • environmental mastery - successfully work, love and enjoy life
• evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health?

  strength:

  takes a positive approach

  • focuses on what good mental health looks like instead of what is wrong
  • encouraging people to strive for well being instead of avoiding mental health

  Hollistic

  • covers a wide range of factors
  • so more well rounded than other definitions that just focus on 1 aspect
  • this provides a comprehensive view of mental health

  Limitation - unrealistic and overly demanding