Definitions of Abnormality

• (AO1) Define psychopathology

  The study of psychological disorders
• (AO1) What are the 4 key different definitions of abnormality?

  Why?

  Deviation from Social Norm

  Failure to Function Adequately

  Statistical Infrequency

  Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  
  

  In an attempt to understand abnormal behaviour
• (AO1) Within Deviation from Social Norms, how is behaviour abnormal? (x2)

  Give an example and a case study

  It is very different to acceptable behaviour produced by other members of the same society/cultural group

  
  

  It is unexpected/It may offend others

  
  

  E.g. greetings (hand shaking) or wearing certain clothing

  
  

  Joyce Brown = lived on the street in a wealthy neighbourhood, refused money and to live in a house, people thought she was crazy, forcibly placed into a mental hospital, won her court case, was let out 11 months later, was no harm to herself or others, just deviated from social norms.
• (AO3) Give a limitation point on the Deviation from Social Norm definition

  POINT: Cultural Relativism

  EVIDENCE: Social norms differ between cultures = what is considered normal in one place may be abnormal in another. E.g. roughly 75 countries believe homosexuality is illegal = considered abnormal. However the rest of the world considers it to be normal.

  EVALUATE: There is no global standard for defining behaviour as abnormal, therefore abnormality is not standardised.
• (AO3) Give another limitation point on the Deviation from Social Norm definition

  POINT: Social norms change over time

  EVIDENCE: Homosexuality was a mental illness in the UK until 1973 = resulting in institutionalisation. Now it is a variation of normal behaviour.

  EVALUATE: Historically, reliance on the deviation from social norm definition of abnormality may have been resulted in violations of human rights. Therefore, it could be argued that diagnoses may been given as a form of social control over minority groups, excluding those who do not conform to society.
• (AO1) Within Failure to Function Adequately, how is behaviour abnormal? (x4)

  Give examples

  Unable to cope with the demands of everyday life

  Unable to live independently within society

  Behaviour is maladaptive/dangerous/irrational

  Behaviour causes personal distress/distress to others

  
  

  E.g. washing/cooking/eating/socialising
• (AO3) Give a limitation point of Failure to Function Adequately definition

  POINT: Stems from individual differences

  EVIDENCE: One person with OCD may perform certain excessive rituals that makes them miss work. However, another person may suffer with the same rituals but will make it to work on time.

  EVALUATE: Despite same psychological/behavioural symptoms, each person would be diagnosed differently = questioning the validity of the definition.
• (AO3) Give a strength of the Failure to Function Adequately definition

  POINT: Considers the personal experience of the patient

  EVIDENCE: Does not make a judgement without taking the POV of the suffer's thoughts/feelings into consideration.

  EVALUATE: The definition is a useful model for observing psychopathological behaviour.
• (AO1) Within Statistical Infrequency, how is behaviour abnormal? (x3)

  Give an example

  Found to be numerically (statistically) rare/uncommon/anomalous

  The characteristics of behaviour is less common/typical

  E.g. IQ
• (AO3) Give an limitation point on the Statistical Infrequency definition

  POINT: Labelling an individual as abnormal may be unhelpful.

  EVIDENCE: Such a label as a low IQ may contribute to a poor self-image/become an invitation for discrimination.

  EVALUATE: Could cause a person more distress than the condition itself
• (AO3) Give another limitation point on the Statistical Infrequency definition

  POINT: Some statistically infrequent behaviours labelled as abnormal could in fact be desirable traits.

  EVIDENCE: Having a high IQ is unusual, but could be hugely celebrated. Conversely, depression is experienced by many but is not desirable.

  EVALUATE: The definition needs to identify behaviours which are both infrequent and undesirable to avoid this pitfall.
• (AO1) Within Deviation of Ideal Mental Health, how is behaviour abnormal? (x1)

  Give example

  The deviation from an ideal positive mental health

  The more of Jahoda's criteria (constructed in 1958) someone fails to meet = the more abnormal they are

  (SPASMS) 6 principles - good/accurate/able/positive view of

  Self-actualisation

  Perception of reality

  Autonomy

  Stress Management

  Mastery of Environment

  Self
• (AO3) Give a limitation point of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  POINT: Unrealistic criteria

  EVIDENCE: There are times when everyone will experience stress/negativity = e.g. grieving the death of a loved one. This would be classified as abnormal, irrespective of circumstances that are outside of control.

  EVALUATE: With the high standards, how many must be absent for diagnosis to occur - must be questioned.
• (AO3) Give another limitation point of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  POINT: Cultural Relativism

  EVIDENCE: Could be considered western in origin, emphasis on personal growth/development may be considered self-centred in communities who favour individualism.

  EVALUATE: Definition is culture bound