Defining Abnormality

• what is psychopathology?


  the scientific study of mental dysfunction / disorders.
• What two books are commonly used to diagnose mental illnesses?

  - The DSM-5 (diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders - American psychiatric association)

  - ICD-11 (international classification of diseases - world health organisation)
• why do we need to define abnormality?


  so we can help those who are suffering from mental health conditions and find whether people are responsible for their actions.
• what are the 4 ways to define abnormality?

  1) statistical infrequency

  2) deviation from social norms

  3) failure to function adequately

  4) deviation from ideal mental health
• what is statistical infrequency based on?

  normal distribution and standard deviation, with most human characteristics being believed to fall on a normal distribution curve.
• what is the usual definition of statistical frequency for abnormality?

  those members of the population who fall outside the 2 standard deviations on a normal distribution curve.
• what are the key ideas in relation to the normal distribution curve?

  - it defines abnormality as behaviour that is rare in the population, around 5% of people or less.

  - behaviours that are abnormal lie outside the statistical norm.
• what is a strength of statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?

  in clinical diagnosis, frequency of the behaviour in the population is taken into account, therefore is a useful thing to know. However, a diagnosis will always require other features rather than just unusualness.
• what are limitations of statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality?


  - identifies both ends of the scale as abnormal.

  - the definition is based on quantity rather than quality.

  - it is not helpful at identifying more common mental health conditions, as some are more frequent than 5% so has limited usefulness.
• what is deviation from social norms?


  behaviour is very different to the acceptable behaviour being produced by other members of the same society / cultural group.
• what is behaviour that deviates from social norms like?

  - unexpected by other group members

  - offends in some way the other members of that society / cultural group.
• what are limitations of deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality?

  - when norms change, will it no longer be seen as a disorder? Therefore it is not reliable.

  - social norms vary in different cultures.

  - some argue the definition supports discrimination
• what are examples of when deviation from social norms has shown discrimination?

  homosexuality and Drapetomania
• what are strengths of deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality?

  - includes ideas about desirability of behaviour

  - in the DSM5 antisocial personality disorder has a diagnosis criteria of 'absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally ethical behaviour'

  - so it can be useful for some behaviours, but won't be used without other criteria.
• What is failure to function adequately?

  this occurs when someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day to day living.
• Who outlined a definition of failure to function as a way of defining abnormality?

  Rosenhan and Seligman
• what does failure to function adequately take into account?

  takes into account the way the person feels themselves and also the reactions of those around them. It can also be used in combination with another definition.
• what are the 4 criteria of failure to function adequately?

  - the person can't cope with the demands of everyday life (social / occupational)

  - behaviour is maladaptive, irrational or dangerous

  - behaviour causes distress to the person.

  - behaviour causes distress to others.
• what does maladaptive mean?

  bad coping strategy
• what does irrational mean?

  not logical or reasonable
• what are strengths of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

  - takes into account the person's feelings and the effects on those around them.

  - used in real life diagnosis in the DSM-5, so a useful tool when combined with symptomatic behaviour.

  - identifies people who need the most help.
• what are the weaknesses of failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

  - is a subjective judgement made by psychiatrists - there is no objective test.

  - some people may be very disturbed but able to function normally e.g. Harold Shipman.

  - others distress may be because social norms are broken so share the negatives of that definition.
• who outlined deviation from ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality?

  Marie Jahoda
• what were the ideas outlined by Marie Jahoda?

  - when someone does not meet the criteria for good mental health, we can say they are abnormal or mentally unhealthy.

  - has an idea there is a way of 'optimal living' that requires mental health and we should all strive for it.
• what does ideal physical health look like?

  - freedom from pain

  - regular functioning of the digestive system

  - a healthy internal temperature

  - ability to work, enjoy leisure and relationships without physical limitations.
• what does ideal mental health look like?

  - good self-esteem

  - self-actualisation

  - ability to cope with stress

  - realistic view of the world

  - autonomy / independence from other people

  - environmental mastery ( work, love and enjoy leisure.)
• what does deviating from one of the criteria's of ideal mental health mean?

  not having just one of these criteria mean someone does not have ideal mental health.
• what are strengths of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality?

  - very comprehensive (full) set of criteria

  - does not label the person with a disorder but says we should all strive for ideal mental health.
• what are limitations of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition for abnormality?

  - culture bound : this set of ideal behaviours is very much true of individualistic cultures.

  - collectivist cultures would not see self actualisation or independence from others as criteria for ideal mental health.

  - the criteria is rather unrealistic. It is unlikely most people will fit them all, all of the time. ( we would therefore all be 'abnormal' so this is not helpful.)