defining abnormality
Cards (11)
- statistical infrequency
- normal distribution curve
- average IQ = 100
- deviations from social norms
- culturally specific
- moral + societal standards
- failure to function adequately
- rosenham and seligman
- interpersonal rules
- severe distress
- irrational behaviour
- deviation from ideal mental health
- jahoda
- no stress, rational, good self-esteem
- cannot be solely used 🚫
- not useful separately
- all must be used together to create holistic view
- subjective judgements 🚫
- psychiatrists has to use own judgement of where the patient deviates
- failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health try to create a comprehensive list to reduce bias ✅
- negative effects of labeling 🚫
- diagnosis may make people feel worse / unmotivated so no real benefit
- cultural relativism 🚫
- ideas on moral + standards differ between cultures so diagnosis is unreliable
- in the context of agoraphobia
- statistical infrequency defines abnormality as behaviour that is rare where the characteristics of the behaviour are less common as is the case with agoraphobia affecting less than 1% of adults in the UK
- in the context of agoraphobia
- deviation from ideal mental health defines abnormality when people fail to meet all criteria for psychological well-being as is the case with people with agoraphobia who are unable to self-actualise as they 'cannot achieve their potential'
- and they do not have an accurate perception of reality as they are 'percieving threats everywhere'
- in the context of agoraphobia
- failure to function adequately defines abnormality where people are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life demonstrated in people with agoraphobia who cannot perform daily activities like leaving their home
- behaviour also causes personal distress and distress to others as is the case with people with agoraphobia who find the condition 'very stressful' for their family