Definitions of abnormality

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  • Created by: 070998
  • Created on: 27-03-17 11:44

1. Deviation from social norms

  • A norm is an expected form of behaviour.
  • Implicit norms - unwritten ones that guide accepted behaviour
  • Explicit norms - laws for example, ones that are written 
  • A way of defining behaviour as abnormal is to consider how it breaks from social norms. This labels people who behave undesirably as social deviants

Strengths of the definition:

  • Real-life application: in the diagnosis of anti-social personality disorder. There are other factors which should be considered when thinking about abnormal behaviour - so it shouldn't be the only thing taken into account. 
  • Protects society - in defining behaviour that is abnormal, that individual can seek help and may become hospitalised

Limitations of the definition:

  • Cultural differences - behaviour considered abnormal in Western cultures may be part of tradition in other cultures. This is problematic because it may be difficult to assess someone if they are from a different culture
  • Social norms are not constant, but vary over time - using this approach is dependant on the era (lacks temporal validity). Behaviours considered abnormal now may not be abnormal in the future

2. The failure to function adequately

  • Individuals are seen as abnormal when they can't cope with everyday life
  • Categories devised by Rosenhan and Seligman

Observer discomfort - behaviour causes distress to the observer

Unpredictability - displaying behaviour that other people wouldn't be able to guess would happen

Irrationality - displaying behaviour that can't be explained in a rational way

Strengths of the definition:

  • Assesses the degree of abnormality - as GAF is measured on a continuous scale, it allows clinicians to see the degree to which individuals are abnormal and thus decide who needs psychiatric help
  • Checklist - it provides a practical checklist that can be used to assess levels of abnormality. This is a strength because it would be straightforward to diagnose someone.

Limitations of the

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