Definitions of Abnormality

    Cards (15)

    • Statistical Infrequency shows which characteristics/behaviours are abnormal by using normal distribution to see how far above or below te average someone is
    • Deviation from ideal mental health identifies people who do not meet Jahoda's criteria
    • Jahoda's ideal mental health includes: can cope with stress, independence & autonomy, self-actualisation, accurate perception of reality and ourselves
    • Failure to function adequately is an inability to maintain basic standards of living, nutrition & hygeine e.g showering, maintaining relationships, holding a job
    • Deviation from social norms is when people do not behave in the way they are expected to by society
    • Statistical Infrequency has real-world application as it is useful in clinical practice for formal diagnoses and to assess severity of symptoms
    • Statistical Infrequency overlooks rare characteristics seen as positive e.g. high IQ
    • Deviation from Social Norms is useful in clinical practice for diagnosing disorders based on behavioural characteristics
    • Deviation from Social Norms lacks cultural and situational relativism as norms vary between groups e.g. hearing voices as a diagnosis for schizophrenia
    • Failure to Function adequately is useful as it provides a threshold for seeking professional help
    • Failure to Function Adequately does not account for high-functioning depression as people are able to hide their symptoms
    • Failure to Function Adequately is discriminatory is it labels people who choose to live unusual lifestyles as abnormal
    • Ideal Mental Health is highly comprehensive and holistic as it takes into account many aspects of mental health
    • Ideal Mental Health provides a checklist for assessing individuals for psychological issues
    • Ideal Mental Health has extremely high and unrealistic standards which are unsustainable for most individuals