definitions of abnormality

    Cards (12)

    • define social infrequency
      occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic e.g. being more dressed or less intelligent than most of the population
    • define deviation from social norms
      concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in our community or society
    • define failure to function adequately
      occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living
    • deviation from ideal mental health
      occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
    • AO1: statistical infrequency
      • according to the statistical definition of any behaviour that is unusual can be thought of as 'abnormal'
      • example: in a normal distribution, most people have a IQ score range from 85-115, and the 2% than score below 70 are very unusual or 'abnormal' - they are liable to receive a diagnosis of IDD
    • AO1: deviation from social norms
      • example: an important symptom of antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) is an absence of prosocial internal standards that don't conform to our moral standards (DSM-5)
      • social norms are specific to the culture we live in, and so there are relatively few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal on the basis they breach them
    • AO1: failure to function adequately
      ROSENHAN & SELIGMAN - additional signs:
      • no longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules
      • experiencing severe personal distress
      • behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
      example: intellectual disability disorder (IDD)
    • AO1: deviation from ideal mental health
      JAHODA - must follow the criteria of:
      • no symptoms or distress
      • rational
      • we self-actualise
      • can cope with stress
      • good self-esteem and lack guilt
      • independent
    • AO3: statistical infrequency
      (-) infrequent characteristics can be positive as well e.g. we would not think of someone with an IQ above 130 as abnormal
      (+) can be used in clinical practice, both as a part of formal diagnosis and as a way to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms
    • AO3: deviation from social norms
      (-) cultural and situational relativism - one cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their standards rather than the person's standards
    • AO3: failure to function adequately
      (-) it is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal e.g. not having a job or permanent address might seem like failing to function but some people have alternative lifestyles = discrimination and social control
    • AO3: deviation from ideal mental health
      (-) may be cultural-bound - some of JAHODA'S criteria for ideal mental health are firmly located in the context of the US and Europe, but different elements are not equally applicable across a range of cultures
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