5.1.1 Definitions of Abnormality

• What are the four main definitions of abnormality in clinical psychology?

  Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, personal distress, impairment of functioning
• Abnormality is defined as a pattern of behavior, thought, or emotion that is statistically rare
• How does statistical infrequency define abnormality?

  Behavior occurs less often
• Statistical infrequency defines abnormality as behaviors that occur less often than expected in a population
• Deviation from social norms considers behaviors that violate societal standards as abnormal.
• What is personal distress as a definition of abnormality?

  Emotional discomfort or suffering
• Personal distress occurs when an individual experiences significant emotional discomfort or psychological suffering
• How does impairment of functioning define abnormality?

  Behavior hinders daily tasks
• Statistical infrequency uses a normal distribution to define abnormality.
• What IQ scores are considered statistically infrequent according to the normal distribution?

  Below 70 or above 130
• Statistical infrequency typically considers behaviors more than 2 standard deviations away from the mean
• Match the definition of abnormality with its focus or example:

  Statistical Infrequency ↔️ Rare occurrence

  Deviation from Social Norms ↔️ Violating societal norms

  Personal Distress ↔️ Emotional discomfort

  Impairment of Functioning ↔️ Hindering daily tasks
• What is statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?

  Rare behaviors in a population
• Deviation from social norms defines abnormality as actions or thoughts that violate societal standards
• Personal distress as a definition of abnormality focuses on emotional discomfort or psychological suffering.
• What is impairment of functioning as a definition of abnormality?

  Inability to perform daily tasks
• Match each definition of abnormality with its focus:

  Statistical Infrequency ↔️ Rare occurrence

  Deviation from Social Norms ↔️ Societal standards

  Personal Distress ↔️ Emotional discomfort

  Impairment of Functioning ↔️ Daily task hindrance
• What is the statistical concept underlying statistical infrequency?

  Normal distribution
• An IQ score below 70 is considered statistically infrequent
• Deviation from social norms can vary across cultures and time periods.
• What is the primary focus of defining abnormality in clinical psychology?

  Behavior, thought, or emotion
• Compare statistical infrequency with other definitions of abnormality:

  1️⃣ Deviation from social norms

  2️⃣ Personal distress

  3️⃣ Impairment of functioning
• Statistical infrequency requires behaviors to fall more than two standard deviations from the mean.
• How does deviation from social norms define abnormality?

  Violating societal standards
• Maladaptive behavior interferes with an individual's ability to function normally in daily life
• What is the main emphasis of personal distress as a definition of abnormality?

  Emotional discomfort
• What is the focus of the 'personal distress' definition of abnormality?

  Emotional discomfort or suffering
• Individuals with anxiety disorders often report high levels of distress
• Statistical infrequency defines abnormality based on the rarity of a behavior.
• What is an example of 'deviation from social norms' as a definition of abnormality?

  Unusual dress sense
• Match the definition with its focus:

  Statistical Infrequency ↔️ Rare occurrence

  Personal Distress ↔️ Emotional discomfort

  Deviation from Social Norms ↔️ Societal standards
• What four criteria are used to define abnormality in clinical psychology?

  Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, personal distress, impairment of functioning
• Arrange the definitions of abnormality based on their primary focus:

  1️⃣ Statistical Infrequency

  2️⃣ Deviation from Social Norms

  3️⃣ Personal Distress

  4️⃣ Maladaptive Behavior
• How is abnormality defined in terms of statistical infrequency?

  Behavior that occurs rarely
• Deviation from social norms defines abnormality based on behavior that violates accepted societal standards
• Wearing unusual dress sense to a formal event is an example of deviation from social norms.
• What is the primary focus of maladaptive behavior as a definition of abnormality?

  Functional impairment
• Personal distress is a definition of abnormality that focuses on the experience of significant emotional discomfort
• What is a key advantage of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?

  Objectivity and measurability
• Deviation from social norms is flexible across different societies.