abnormality definitions

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  • Abnormality definitions
    • failure to function adequately
      • everyday behaviour of an individual
      • if an individuals behaviour, mood or thoughts adversely affects their...
        • well being...
          • their ability to retain relationships or employment
        • become a danger to the safety of others
        • become a danger to their own safety
      • rosenhan and seligman
        • characteristics of abnormal behaviour that are related to this definition
          • observer discomfort
            • where behaviour causes discomfort of distress to the observer
          • unpredictability
            • we rely on people around us being fairly predictable
          • irrationality
            • we can usually see the behaviour of somebody as being rational
          • maladaptiveness
            • not being able to adjust to a situation of enviroment
      • Limitations
        • many mental disorder result in an inability to function adequately in terms of everyday life and interactions...
          • so many people who ask for psychiatric help are recognising that they are not functioning adequately
            • so this could serve as a standard for abnormality
        • context
        • psychological disorders may not prevent a person from functioning adequately
        • cultural differences
    • deviation from social norms
      • deviation from the commonly accepted standards of behaviour
        • may be written in to law
        • may be implicit
        • behaviour that does not conform to socially accepted patterns
          • deviation from social norms
            • deviation from the commonly accepted standards of behaviour
              • may be written in to law
              • may be implicit
              • behaviour that does not conform to socially accepted patterns
              • limitations
                • social deviancy is linked to moral standards
                  • can change easily and quickly
                    • this approach has to change with the times...
                      • or become historically biased
                • context in which a particular behaviour is exhibited
                • cultural realitivity
                  • social norms are specific to a particular cultures
                • social deviancy can't be the sole criterion of abnormality...
                  • but it is important people behave in socially acceptable ways so they do not upset others
        • limitations
          • social deviancy is linked to moral standards
            • can change easily and quickly
              • this approach has to change with the times...
                • or become historically biased
          • context in which a particular behaviour is exhibited
          • cultural realitivity
            • social norms are specific to a particular cultures
          • social deviancy can't be the sole criterion of abnormality...
            • but it is important people behave in socially acceptable ways so they do not upset others
      • deviation from ideal mental health
        • does not define mental health directly, but attempts to define an ideal mental health
          • deviation from this ideal mental health is what is seen as abnormality
        • indications of ideal mental health
          • individual should be in touch with their own identity and feelings
          • resistant to stress
          • be focussed on the future and self-actualisation
          • should function autonomously, recognising own needs and with accurate perception of reality
          • should show empathy towards others
        • Limitations
          • cultural differences
            • non-western cultures self actualisation and autonomy not recognised
          • unclear on how far/ much a person needs to deviate to be classed as abnormal
          • very few people would match the criteria all the time, so we are all abnormal at some point
    • using this approach we should not aim for an absence of psychopathology...
      • ...but aim to improve ourselves
      • deviation from ideal mental health
        • does not define mental health directly, but attempts to define an ideal mental health
          • deviation from this ideal mental health is what is seen as abnormality
        • indications of ideal mental health
          • individual should be in touch with their own identity and feelings
          • resistant to stress
          • be focussed on the future and self-actualisation
          • should function autonomously, recognising own needs and with accurate perception of reality
          • should show empathy towards others
        • Limitations
          • cultural differences
            • non-western cultures self actualisation and autonomy not recognised
          • unclear on how far/ much a person needs to deviate to be classed as abnormal
          • very few people would match the criteria all the time, so we are all abnormal at some point

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