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Definitions of abnormality (Key terms (Cultural relativism: - The view…
Definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency
Refers to conditions that are rare compared to the norm. Many human characteristics fall into a normal frequency distribution. This can tell us what is common or 'normal', and what is uncommon or adnormal.
Deviation from social norms
As well as statistical norms, there are also social norms created by social groups of people about what comprises acceptable standards of behaviour. Deviation from social norms is classed as abnorma. Some rules about unacceptable behaviour are implicit whereas others are policed by laws. They also differ over place and time due to cultural relativism.
Key terms
Cultural relativism
: - The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in teh context of the culture in which it originates.
Deviation from social norms
: - Abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from implicit rules about how one 'ought' to behave. Anything that violates these rules is considered abnormal.
Statistical infrequency
: - Abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare.
Deviation from ideal mental health
: - Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality.
Failure to function adequately
: - People are judged on their ability to go about daily life, If they can't do this and are also experiencing distress (or others are distressed by their behaviour) then it is considered a sign of abnormality.
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
Some adnormal behaviour is desirable
: - The statistical infrequency definition does not distinguish between desriable and undesriable behaviours.
The cut-off point is subjectively determined
: - We need to determine the dividing line between normality from abnormalityand this can be problematic.
Statistical infrequency is sometimes not enough
: - In some situations a statistical criterion can define adnormality. However, a diaognosis is appropiate only if failure to function adequately is also taken into account.
Evaluation of deviation from social norms
Susceptible to abuse
: - The main difficulty with the deviation from social norms definition is that it varies as social morals and attitudes change over time. The mentally ill are thus those individuals who transgress against prevailing social attitudes. Szasz (1974) claimed that this could be used as an excuse to exclude nonconformists from society.
Deviance is related to context and degree
: - Behaviour considered to be deviant in one setting is considered normal in another. The distinction between deviance and normality can also be a matter of degree.
Deviance is defined as transgression of the social rules people establish in order to live together. Accordingly, abnormal behaviour is behaviour that damages others. The social deviancy model thus distinguishes between desirable and undesriable behaviour. Other explanations, such as statistical infrequency, do not take into account of the effect that behaviour has on others.
Cultural relativism
: - Classification systems, such as DSM, draw on social norms so are culture-bound. This cultural relativism is acknowledgedin DSM-5 (2013). There are no universal standards for labelling a behaviour as abnormal.
Failure to function adequately
Failing to cope with everyday living, is a third critereon for judging abnormality. It may cause distress for the individual and/or others around them. If it distresses only others but not oneself, label of abnormality is inappropiate.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Physical illness is defined in part by looking at the absence of signs of physical health (Jahoda, 1958). The deviation from ideal mental health definition proposes the absence of the following criteria. There is some overlap here with failure to function adequately.
Self- attitudes: having high self- esteem and a strong sense of identity.
Personal growth and self- actualisation
Integration, such as being able to cope with stressful situations.
Autonomy: being independent and self-regulating
Having an accurate perception of reality
mastery of the environment: including the ability to love, function at work, and in interpersonal relations, adjust to new situations and solve problems.
Evaluation of failure to function adequately
Limitations: Who judges?
'Failure to function adequately' must be judged by the individual or someone else and they may disagree on the criteria. There is thus a risk that adequately functioning individuals may be classed as abnormal or that dysfunctional people may remain undiagnosed.
Strengths: The behaviour may be functional
Dysfunctional behaviour can be adaptive and functional. Such as, depression can lead to the patient recieving more support.
Strengths: Easy to measure objectively
The subjective experience and point of view of the patient is acknowledged. In addition 'failure to function' is also relatively easy to judge objectively because we can list behaviours and thus decide which treatment is required.
Evaluation of deviation from ideal health
Limitations: Unrealistic criteria
According to ideal criteria most of us are abnormal. Furthermore the criteria are difficult to measure. The approach may be an interesting concept but not really useable.
Limitations: Mental health is not the same as physical health
Like physical illnesses, some mental disorders have physical causes but may result from life experiences. Therefore it is unlikely that we could diagnose mental health and physical health in the same way.
Strengths: It is a positve approach
Deviation from mental health offers an alternative perspective on mental disorder by emphasising the positives rather than the negative. Jahoda's ideas were never espoused by humanistic psychologista or really adopted by mental health professionals but do accord with 'positive psychology'.
Limitations: Cultural relativism
The 'failure to function'criterion is likely to result in different diagnoses when applied in different cultures. Many, if not most, ofd the criteria are culture-bound because the standard of one culture is being applied in another.