Abnormalities

• What are the four definitions of abnormality?

  Statistical infrequency

  Failure to function adequately

  Deviation from social norms

  Deviation from ideal mental health
• Give one strength and one limitation of statistical infrequency as an explanation of abnormality

  STRENGTH:

  • Unusual characteristics can be positive (E.g high IQ)

  LIMITATION:

  • Labelling can be negative and limit opportunities
• Give one strength and one limitation of deviation from social norms as an explanation of abnormality

  STRENGTH:

  • Based on collective judgements of society

  LIMITATION:

  • Depends on the society it is based in, few behaviours are universally abnormal
• Give one strength and one limitation of failure to function adequately as an explanation of abnormality

  STRENGTH:

  • Considers the patients perspective

  LIMITATION:

  • Could be considered deviation from social norms as society picks criteria for not functioning adequately
• Statistical infrequency is when an individual has less common characteristics that are not in the majority of the population

  Deviation from social norms is behaviour that is different from the accepted standards in that society

  Failure to function adequately is when someone is unable to cope with demands of daily living (e.g hygiene, jobs, maintaining relationships)

  Deviation from ideal mental health is when someone does not meet criteria for good mental health as proposed by Jahoda