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PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY EVALUATION - Coggle Diagram
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY EVALUATION
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY AO3
REAL LIFE APPLICATION
Intellectual disability disorder demonstrates how statistical infrequency can be used
Statistical infrequency is thus a useful part of clinical assessment- e.g. IDD (Diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder) only 2% of the population has an IQ below 70 and these people are diagnosed with IDD - they are abnormal
All assessment of patients with mental disorders includes some comparison to statistical norms
IT IS OBJECTIVE
The mathematical nature of this definition means that it is clear what is defined as abnormal and what is not. There is no opinion involved which means there is no bias.
NOT EVERYONE UNUSUAL BENEFITS FROM A LABEL
Someone with a very low IQ who was not distressed nor out of work, eat, would not need diagnosis of intellectual disability
Being labelled as abnormal might have a negative effect on the way others view them + the way they see themselves
When someone is living a happy and fulfilled life, there is no benefit to them being labelled as abnormal
UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE POSITIVE
IQ scored over 130 are just as unusual as those below 70, but not regarded as undesirable and requiring treatment
This is a serious limitation of the concept of statistical infrequency and means it should never be used alone in diagnosis
If very few people display a behaviour, that makes the behaviour statistically abnormal but doesn't mean the person requires treatment
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS AO3
IT IGNORES HISTORICAL ISSUES
However, societies perception of deviant behaviour changes overtime
Now it is considered normal
E.g. Homosexuality - in the past people would be put in jail
This definition cannot account for these changes -
IT IGNORES CULTURAL ISSUES
However, in the UK it may be seen as schizophrenia
What is normal in one culture might not be considered normal in another culture - social norms vary
E.g In Africa it is normal to speak to the dead
It is therefore very difficult to have universal standards for the normal and the definition is therefore culturally relative and only applies to the culture where it was created
IT DISTINGUISHES DESIRABLE + UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR
It makes it more effective than statistical infrequency
This also means that it helps society because if individuals adhere to the norms, it means society Is ordered and predictable
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH AO3
IT'S COMPREHENSIVE
It probably covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help
The sheer range of factors discussed in relation to Jahoda's criteria make it a good tool for thinking about mental health
The definition covers a broad range of criteria for mental health
IT MAY BE CULTURALLY RELATIVE
For example, the emphasis on personal achievement (self-actualisation) would be considered self-indulgent (doing what one wants) in much of the world where the focus is on community rather than oneself
Such traits are typical of individualist cultures and are culturally specific
Some of the ideas in Jahoda's classification of ideal mental health are specific to Western European + North American cultures
UNREALISTICALLY HIGH STANDARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH
On the positive side, it makes it clear to people the ways in which they could benefit from seeking help to improve their mental health
However, it is probably of no value in thinking who might benefit from treatment against their will
Very few people will attain all Jahoda's criteria for mental health. Therefore, this approach would see most of us as abnormal
POSITIVE ATTEMPT TO DEFINE ABNORMALITY
Doesn't focus on the negatives
Focuses on having certain things e.g. do you have autonomy in your life? do you have environmental mastery? Are you able to resist stress?
If you have these things you are a normal person
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY AO3
RECOGNISES THE PATIENT'S PERSPECTIVE
However, the definition acknowledges that the experience of the patients is important
It captures the experience of many people who need help and is useful for assessing abnormality
This may not be an entirely satisfactory approach because it is difficult to assess distress
SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT
Someone has to judge whether a patient is distressed or distressing. Some patients may say they are distressed but may be judged as not suffering
There are methods for making such judgements as objective as possible, including checklists such as the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale
However, the principle remains whether someone has the right to make this judgement e.g. a psychiatrist
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR CAN ACTAULLY BE FUNCTIONAL + OBERVABLE BY OTHERS
Their behaviour therefore could be seen as adaptive/positive
These behaviours can lead to overcoming mental disorders
E.g. depressed people may act in certain ways as it results in people offering their help which is rewarding and can result in successful treatment