Defining Abnormality
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?- Created by: maddienoel
- Created on: 07-11-16 12:16
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- Defining Abnormality
- Statistical Infrequency
- This includes behaviour that is rare. It may be possible to gather data to find the average value. Then we can say that the figures closest to the mean are normal and those farthest away are abnormal.
- An issue with this approach is that the decision of where to start the abnormal classification.
- This includes behaviour that is rare. It may be possible to gather data to find the average value. Then we can say that the figures closest to the mean are normal and those farthest away are abnormal.
- Deviation from social norms:
- Social norms are expected ways of behaving in a particular society or social situation. For example in all societies there are social norms governing dress for different genders and ages, e.g. people who ***** off in public would be considered as abnormal.
- A strength of this technique is that it takes cultural relativism into account (the way socual norms change over time) and it avoids ethnocentrism.
- A weakness is it doesnt provide a objective defintion of abnormality and it can lead to discrimination or abuse.
- Social norms are expected ways of behaving in a particular society or social situation. For example in all societies there are social norms governing dress for different genders and ages, e.g. people who ***** off in public would be considered as abnormal.
- Failure to function adequently
- Maladaptive behaviour 'if someones behaviour interferes with an individual's ability to lead a normal, everyday life, such as maintaining employment and relationships
- Criteria: Distress, Maladaptive behaviour, Irrationality, UnpredictableUnconventional behaviour, Observer discomfort and violation of moral standards.
- Strengths of this are that it provides a practical checklist and takes into account social context.
- Weaknesses of this are that at times it is normal to be distressed and so this is not always abnormal.
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- In this case normal can be considered as mentally healthy, while abnormal could describe poor mental health. This approach is characteristic of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
- Evaluation: many normal people would fail some of these needs, however this doesn't mean they have poor mental health and are abnormal.
- Rosenhan and Seligman (1984) - there is no single definition and so created the four criteria which when put together could be used to define abnormality.
- Statistical Infrequency
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