mathematical - uses a normal distribution curve and standard deviations
3 standard deviations away from the mean = ABNORMAL
rare behaviour = infrequent = abnormal
e.g., 1% of the population are diagnosed with schizophrenia
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evaluation
OBJECTIVE - standard deviations define anormality -- not relying on subjective interpretaions
HOWEVER.... decision about how many standard deviations away from mean is subjectively decided
practical applications - checking normal/expected development in children
uses data from established and standardised tests e.g., IQ assessments, questionnaires from NHS on mental health - trusted source - increased RELIABILITY
some rare behaviours are desirable but deemed abnormal/problematic e.g., high IQ
cultural differences overlooked - some cultures high level of auditory hallucinations - normal
misdiagnosis- some behaviours e.g., depression are not statistically rare but require medical intervention
labelling an individual as abmnormal isnt helpful - poor self image & opens up grounds for discrimination
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deviation from social norms
social norm = implicit rule on how to behave
deviating from social norms = behaving in ways that are not in line with the implicit rules of society
e.g., implicit rule to not push in a queue in a shop
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evaluation
cultural relativism - social norms vary accross cultures
time affects social norms - hindsight bias
context of behaviour is important including situation and location
severity of deviation - are social norms broken as a one-off or is it persistent?
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failure to function adequately
deemed abnormal if you are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life e.g., hygiene, eating, work/education, etc.
Rosenhan + Seligman - maladaptive behaviours, personal distress, and observer discomfort.
GAF (global assessment of functioning) scale is utilised to look at behaviour = low scores indicate a severe failure to function
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evaluation
obsever discomfort may not be objective - differing tolerance levels (Individual Differences)
personal distress - many people do not experience distress but would be regarded as abnormal e.g., auditory hallucinations
Individual differences - 2 people with the same abnormality but only 1 may fail to cope with everyday life
considers subjective personal experiences of patients e.g., thoughts and feelings
overlap between failure to function and deviation from social norms - not being able to go to work could be a failure to function but also deviataing to an alternative lifestyle
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deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda - abnormal behaviour should be defined by the abscense of particular ideal characteristics
positive view of oneself
personal growth & self-actualisation
autonomous and self-regulating
accurate view of reality
resistance to stress
master your environment
If an individual doesn't demonstrate one of these characteristics they will be classified as abnormal
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evaluation
unrealistic criteria proposed by jahoda - not easily accessible to all people at all times
e.g., circumstances such as death of a loved one
how much criteria should be absent to be deemed abnormal
positive and holistic stance - considers the whole person - comprehensive definition
cultural relativism - western criteria in origin - personal growth = overly self-centred in countries who favour community over individualism. Therefore, the definition is culture bound.
good implications for supporting someone to overcome abnormalities - criteria is used to set goals and targets
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