Abnormality

Created by: jack watson
Created on: 24-03-13 12:16

Definition of abnormality

Deviation from social norms, Failure to function adequately, Deviation from ideal mental health

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Limitations of the deviation from social norms definition

Eccentric or Abnormal- We often decide that behaviours that deviate from the 'norm' are merely eccentric rather than abnormal in a pathological sense.

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Limitations of the deviation from social norms definition

Change with the times- Beliefs about 'abnormality' and the social norms of acceptable behaviour change over time. e.g Until the early years of the 20th Century, unmarried women in the UK who became pregnant were sometimes sent to mental institutions.

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Limitations of the failure to function adequately definition

Exceptions to the rule- A student having anxiety problems about an exam may behave uncharacteristically but this would not mean they were abnormal.

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Limitations of the failure to function adequately definition

Not the whole picture- This is not a true definition of 'abnormality', rather it is a way of determining the extent of a person's problems and the likelihood that they might need professional help.

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Limitations of the deviation from ideal mental health definition

Possible benefits of stress- Some people actually work more efficiently in moderately stressful situations.

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Limitations of the deviation from ideal mental health definition

The difficulty of self-actualizing- In reality, very few people achieve their full potential in life. This would mean then that is self-actualization was a criteria for ideal mental health, most of us would be mentally unhealthy.

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Jahoda's six criteria

1. Positive attitudes towards the self 2. Self-actualization of one's potential 3.Resistance to stress 4.Personal autonomy 5. Accurate perception of reality 6. Adapting to and mastering the environment

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Eccentric or Abnormal- We often decide that behaviours that deviate from the 'norm' are merely eccentric rather than abnormal in a pathological sense.

Back

Limitations of the deviation from social norms definition

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

Exceptions to the rule- A student having anxiety problems about an exam may behave uncharacteristically but this would not mean they were abnormal.

Back

Card 5

Front

Not the whole picture- This is not a true definition of 'abnormality', rather it is a way of determining the extent of a person's problems and the likelihood that they might need professional help.

Back

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Abnormality