Definitions of abnormality
- Created by: Toni Lowe
- Created on: 26-05-13 10:51
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- Definitions of abnormality
- Deviation from social norms
- Outline
- Social norms are approved and expected ways of behaving in a particular society.
- If people do not keep to the social norms of a society, they are likely to be considered "abnormal".
- Social norms are approved and expected ways of behaving in a particular society.
- Evaluation
- Eccentric or abnormal
- Deviation from social norms does not always indicate abnormality.
- A marathon runner dressed as a giant carrot may be thought of as strange or idiosyncratic, but they would not often be considered as mentally disturbed.
- However, if an individual walked down the street claiming that aliens had taken over their brains, we would be more likely to suspect a mental disorder.
- A marathon runner dressed as a giant carrot may be thought of as strange or idiosyncratic, but they would not often be considered as mentally disturbed.
- Deviation from social norms does not always indicate abnormality.
- Abnormal or criminal
- Behaviour of those who violate legal norms is usually regarded as criminal and is rarely considered to be a result of an underlying psychological disorder.
- Behaviour such as **** and mass murder, however, make it hard to believe that anyone normal could have carried them out.
- Psychological studies, such as Milgram and Zimbardo, have shown that in some circumstances people do behave in shocking ways.
- Behaviour such as **** and mass murder, however, make it hard to believe that anyone normal could have carried them out.
- Behaviour of those who violate legal norms is usually regarded as criminal and is rarely considered to be a result of an underlying psychological disorder.
- The role of context
- Much behaviour is subject to context
- Leaping up and down and cheering would be seen as acceptable at a concert or football match, however, would be seen as very strange at a classical music performance.
- Much behaviour is subject to context
- Change with the times
- Beliefs and ideas of abnormality and social norms change over time. What was considered deviant to one generation may be completely acceptable to the next.
- Eccentric or abnormal
- Outline
- Deviation from ideal mental health
- Outline
- This definition was first put forward by Jahoda (1958).
- It looks at positives rather than negatives - the idea of mental health rather than mental illness.
- Jahoda identified six major criteria for optimal living.
- An individual should maintain positive attitudes towards the self (e.g. self respect)
- Self-actualisation - that we reach our full potential in life.
- An individual should be resistant to stress.
- They should maintain autonomy - this means they are self-reliant and can remain stable in the face of hard knocks in life.
- They should have accurate perceptions of reality, not be too optimistic or too pessimistic.
- They should be able to master and adapt to the environment, being competent in all areas of work and life and be able to change.
- Evaluation
- The difficulty of self-actualising
- In reality, very few people achieve their full potential in life. If self-actualisation is a criterion for ideal mental health, most of us would be considered as mentally unhealthy.
- Possible benefits of stress
- Some individuals actually work more efficiently in moderately stressful situations.
- E.g. some actors say they perform best when experiencing a certain amount of anxiety.
- Some individuals actually work more efficiently in moderately stressful situations.
- Cultural issues
- The ideas Jahoda puts forward are based on Western ideas of self-fulfilment and individuality.
- The difficulty of self-actualising
- Outline
- Failure to function adequately
- Outline
- Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest that the best way to define abnormality is to identify a set of abnormal characteristics.
- Each of the characteristics on their own may not cause a problem **** several being present can be symptomatic of abnormality.
- This definition uses a scale of abnormality that enables us to think in terms of degrees of normality and abnormality rather than make judgements one behaviour that is witnessed.
- Some of the characteristics of abnormality according to this definition.
- Observer discomfort
- Social behaviour is governed by unspoken rules of behaviour, such as keeping reasonable distance. Those who see these rule being broken often experience some discomfort.
- Personal distress / suffering
- Most abnormal individuals report that they are suffering, so the presence of suffering is a key feature of abnormality.
- Maladaptiveness
- Behaviour that prevents an individual from achieving major life goals. Most abnormal behaviour is maladaptive.
- Observer discomfort
- Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest that the best way to define abnormality is to identify a set of abnormal characteristics.
- Evaluation
- Subjective
- Behaviour that causes severe discomfort to one person may be perfectly acceptable to another person.
- Exceptions to the rules
- A student experiencing stress and anxiety before an exam may behave out of character and appear to not be functioning adequately, however, they would not necessarily be considered as abnormal.
- People with mental illness can function adequately
- Psychological disorders may not prevent a person from functioning adequately. People often maintain adequate functioning even though they have a serious mental illness.
- E.g. an alcoholic may try to conceal their addiction by acting as if nothing is wrong.
- Psychological disorders may not prevent a person from functioning adequately. People often maintain adequate functioning even though they have a serious mental illness.
- Subjective
- Outline
- Deviation from social norms
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