Abnormality

• Statistic infrequency def


  Occurs when indv has less common characteristics (if outside of 1 standard deviation)
• Example of statistical infrequency

  Being more depressed or having lower IQ than most of the population. Eg 1% of population has schizophrenia so it's abnormal
• Name 2 strengths of statistical infrequency

  +Real life application

  +Benefits of being labelled abnormal
• How is real life application of statistical infrequency a strength

  +can be applied to diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder

  +if behaviour deviates from Stat norm, easy to diagnose many mental health disorder
• How is benefits to being labelled abnormal of statistical infrequency a strength

  More support eg ppl with low IQ & ppl with higher depression score benefit from therapy
• Name Weaknesses of statistical deviation

  -Unusual characteristics can be positive

  -Issue of being labelled abnormal
• How is unusual characteristics being positive a weakness of statistical infrequency

  Eg IQ being 130+ is just as abnormal at 70- but high IQ is desirable characteristic

  -Just bc abnormal, doesn't mean it needs treatment to make normal
• How is issue with being labelled abnormal a weakness of statistical infrequency

  Person with low IQ who isn't distressed, won't need diagnosis bc label may negatively impact person due to social stigmas
• Definition of deviation from social norms


  Concerns behaviour that is diff from accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society (ppl may suffer from formal/informal sanction)
• Example of devotion from social norms

  Eg anti social personality disorder= Failure to conform to lawful

  and culturally normative ethical behaviour

  Eg psychopath= abnormal because don't conform to moral standards
• Name 2 strengths of deviation from social norms

  +Social norm is better than Stat norms

  +Real life application
• Why is Social norm better than Stat infrequency (+ve)

  +Because takes into account desirability of behaviour but Stat deviation doesn't

  Eg genius= stat deviation but not abnormal
• Why is real life application of deviation from social norms a strength

  +used in clinical practice eg antisocial personality disorder

  BUTTT ignores other factors eg how distress to other people as a result of APD, so this def can't be used as only reason for defining abnormality
• Name 2 Weaknesses of deviation from social norms

  -Cultural relativism

  -Can lead to abuse or human rights
• How is cultural relativism a weakness

  Social norms vary from diff generations & cultures

  Eg hearing voices is socially acceptable is some cultures but abnormal in UK

  Can be an issue of ppl from one culture, living in another culture
• How is abuse of human rights a weakness of social norms

  -Eg diagnosis of Nymphomania in women (symptom is sexual attraction to WC men)= control over women

  -Modern psychologists says modern categories of mental disorder abuses ppls right to be different
• Failure to function adequately def


  Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living.

  Rosentham & Seligman identify 3 criteria:

  1) when one no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules eg eye contact, personal space

  2) experiencing severe personal distress

  3) behaviour= irrational (dangerous to themselves others)
• Name a strength of failure to function

  Represents threshold for help
• How is threshold for help a strength

  represents sensible threshold for when ppl need profession help

  treatment and service can be targeted to those who need them most
• name 2 weaknesses of failure to function

  discrimination

  can be normal
• How is there discirmination against failure to fuinction

  Hard to distinguish failure to funciton vs just deviation

  eg not having a permanat job may be a choice

  eg ppl who practice extreme sports may adapt maladaptive behaviour
• how can failure to function be normal

  some circumstances which we may choose to fail to cope eg bereavement. difficult circumstances shouldnt be a criteria to give someone a label
• Deviation from ideal mental health def

  -focuses on whats normal, not whats abnormal

  -criteria:

  no distress/symptoms

  rational/realistic

  self actualisation

  cope w/ stress

  good slef esteem/ lack of guilt

  independant

  successful work & love & leisure time
• Who came up with criteria from deviation for ideal mental health

  Jahoda
• Strengths of deviation from ideal mental health

  comprehensive definition
• How is comprehensive definition a strength of deviation from mental health

  +Covers broad range of criteria of mental health

  +covers most of reasons why someone would seek help

  +good tool for thinking about what make the ideal mental health
• Name weaknesses of devation from ideal

  -Cultural relativism

  -Unrealstically high standards

  -Labelling
• How is cultural relativism a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health


  -Criteria= too ethnocentric

  -Eg self actualisation may be deemed self indulgent in cultures that focus on community values

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• How is Unrealstically high standards a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health

  Very few ppl achieve all of Jahodas criteria/may not last long so all ppl are abnormal

  +but can be used to highlight to ppl the benefits receiving treatment will give them
• How is labelling a weakness of deviation from ideal mental health


  Judging one if they fail to cope/ meet criteria creates label whicb makes problem worse

  -eg normal to get depressed after losing job/ relationship

  -so future boss, friend, partner may attach permanent label to that person