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concepts of normality + abnormality (22) (Marie Jahoda's positive…
concepts of normality + abnormality (22)
introduction
abnormal = behaviour that doesn't conform
not very precise - difficult to decide from this who requires treatment
normal = conformity to standard / regular patterns of behaviour
different common interpretations of abnormality highlights the problem
statistical abnormality
much harder to determine average without numbers eg. hunger
might be bettie to consider what's normal for the individual in a particular situation?
abnormal = behaviours that occur infrequently
not about what others would do
assumes existence of average behaviour
focuses on context of individual before claiming abnormal
useful when dealing with numbers - obtain means eg. IQ
deviation from social norms
tendency to assume they're medically abnormal if deviate from social norms
this causes various problems:
eg. normal to talk loudly in a noisy cafe but abnormal in a library
social norms vary across cultures / social situations
dictated appropriate by culture + society for that context
historical variation -- Read et al. (2004) underlined some behaviours previously considered symptomatic of mental illness are now normal eg. homosexuality
social norms = assume in any situation there's an expected behaviour
socially acceptable / unacceptable behaviours are generally established by those with social powers
by judging normality according to conformity to their social norms, powerful people can punish those who threaten this interests
maladaptiveness + adequate functioning
problem with this approach = some engage in this behaviour but don't have a disorder e.g. hunger strike to protest
eg. anorexia
maladaptive = behaviours that threaten ability to function well in that social context
assumes all human behaviours are good but only in particular contexts
suffering + distress
allows those who express need for help to get it
BUT some people don't express distress but still need help
focuses on whether person is depressing distress + suffering
also, some distress / suffering = normal response eg. to death, divorce
ignores problems of most other criteria
Marie Jahoda's positive mental health
integration
accurate perception of reality
growth, development + self-actualisation
autonomy
positive attitude towards oneself
environmental mastery
6 components of ideal mental health
attractive approach
instead of defining abnormal she defined normal
but FEW people are in ideal state of mental health
also depressed individuals are said to have a more accurate perception of reality
makes it quite hard to define what abnormal behaviour is + who needs treating