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,Definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency: Evaluation:
❏ Occurs when someone has a less P Its usefulness
common characteristic than the rest of
the population (behaviour that is E Can help form a diagnosis and can help
statistically rare) assess the severity of one’s symptoms
Example: IQ and Intellectual Disability C Makes diagnosis easier and can be used to
Disorder (IDD) support those with whatever they are
diagnosed with e.g IDD
❏ The average IQ is set at 100
❏ 68% of the population attains an IQ in the P Doesn’t take into account the fact that
range of 85 - 115 infrequent characteristics can be positive as
❏ 2% of the population attain a score below well as negative
70
E Someone with an IQ above the average, let's
❏ Those in the 2% bracket will usually be
say 130, would not be seen as abnormal
considered to be unusual and may receive
a diagnosis of IDD C The definition only focuses on one side of
the spectrum
,Definitions of abnormality
Deviation from social norms: Evaluation:
❏ Concerned with behaviour that is different P Its usefulness
from the accepted standards of behaviour E Can be used to diagnose those with APD or
in society other disorders which involve deviating from
social norms
Example: Antisocial Personality
Disorder (APD) C Provides support for those who have a
disorder
❏ Person with APD displays impulsive, P Social norms may vary between cultures
aggressive and irresponsible behaviour
❏ Psychopaths are abnormal as they do not E Something in one culture may be seen as
normal but the same thing may be seen as
conform to moral standards
abnormal in another culture e.g homosexuality
C Difficult to judge deviation from social norms
across different cultures/ situations
,Definitions of abnormality
Failure to function adequately: Evaluation:
❏ Occurs when someone is unable to cope with P Represents a sensible threshold for professional help
the ordinary demands of day to day living
❏ We may decide that someone is failing to function E Most people will find themselves having symptoms of
failing to function adequately at some point
adequately when they are unable to maintain
basic standards of nutrition and hygiene or Some may suffer at a more severe level which requires
they are unable to maintain a job or relationships more attention/ treatment
etc
C Means that treatment services can be targeted to those
When is someone failing to function adequately? who need it most
❏ Rosenhan and Seligman proposed the P Easy to label non standard ways of living as abnormal
following:
❏ Person no longer conforms to standard E Some people may choose to deviate from social norms/
interpersonal rules e.g maintaining eye contact live alternative lifestyles e.g not get a job or live at
❏ Person experiences severe personal distress permanent address
❏ Person’s behaviour becomes irrational or
This doesn’t mean they are failing to function adequately but
dangerous to others/ themselves rather that’s how they choose to live
Example: IDD C Those who choose to live abnormal lifestyles are at risk of
being labelled as abnormal which may potentially reduce
❏ Person must also be failing to function their freedom of choice
adequately to receive a diagnosis of IDD
,Definitions of abnormality
Deviation from ideal mental health: Evaluation :
❏ Occurs when someone does not meet a set P Highly comprehensive criteria
of criteria for good mental health
❏ This definition focuses on what is normal and E Jahoda’s criteria includes most of the
asses who deviates from the ideal reasons why someone would need/ ask for
help with mental health
What does ideal mental health look like?
C We can assess ourselves based on the
❏ Jahoda suggested the following criteria for criteria and discuss psychological issues with
ideal mental health: a range of professionals
❏ No symptoms of personal distress
P Jahoda’s criteria may not be applicable to
❏ Ability to self actualise
all cultures
❏ Can cope with stress
❏ Have a realistic view of the world E Parts of Jahoda’s criteria are primarily based
❏ Good self esteem and lack guilt on US and European standards of ideal
❏ Can successfully work, love and enjoy our mental health.
leisure
❏ Are rational and can perceive ourselves C It's difficult to apply the concept of ideal
accurately mental health from culture to culture
, Definitions of abnormality
Review questions: Review answers:
1. What does IDD stand for? 1. Intellectual Disability Disorder
2. What is the average IQ? 2. 100
3. What percent of people have an average IQ between 3. 68%
85 - 115? 4. 2%
4. What percentage of people have an below 70? 5. A diagnosis of IDD
5. What do those with an IQ below 70 receive? 6. It's useful in coming up with a diagnosis and
6. Why is statistical infrequency a useful definition? assessing the severity of one’s symptoms
7. Why is the statistical infrequency definition limited? 7. Only takes into account one side of the spectrum
8. What does APD stand for? and doesn’t address the fact that unusual
9. What are the three features of someone with APD characteristics can be positive as well a negative
10. Why is the deviation from social norms definition 8. Antisocial Personality Disorder
limited? 9. Impulsive, aggressive, irresponsible
11. Who proposed the criteria for failing to function 10. Social norms may vary between cultures
adequately? 11. Rosenhan and Seligman
12. When do we know someone is failing to function 12. No longer conforms to interpersonal rules, severe
adequately? personal distress, becomes irrational or danger to
13. Who proposed what ideal mental health looks like? self/ others
14. Name a strength of the deviation from ideal mental 13. Jahoda
health definition 14. Comprehensive definition
15. Name a weakness of the deviation from ideal mental 15. Culture bound
health definition
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