Abnormal Psychology

Annotations:

• - Behavior that is rare according to statistics. (think bell curve extremes) Limitations: -Some infrequencies such as talent in sports or a high IQ are rare, but not abnormal

Annotations:

• Social norm: What society (the general population) thinks as common/acceptable. They are the unwritten rules of society Examples: -talking to oneself -hallucinations Limitations:  -Not all societies consider the same behaviors "abnormal" or "normal" -Social norms can be overlooked by an individual through "personal preference"

1. Suffering

   Annotations:

   • This is when the "abnormal" person goes through suffering/distress. Limitation: Not all disorders don't involve stress ex psychopathology.This isn't really a sufficient condition for abnormality
2. Observer duscomfort

   Annotations:

   • This is when the observing person feels discomfort either in understanding or morally
3. Maladaptiveness

   Annotations:

   • Also known as disability or dysfunction, this is when the abnormality renders the individual unable to perform what s/he must do. This would include work, maintain healthy relationships with people, etc.  Limitation: - Not all disabilities are considered abnormalities. - There isn't really a clear rule that defines which are disabilities that pertain to abnormalities
4. Unprdictability

   Annotations:

   • -The individual and his/her actions can be considered out of the ordinary.  -The individual cannot render a consistent pattern
5. Limitations

   Annotations:

   • -Just because a person fails to function adequately, it does not mean that the person is abnormal. We should know the context of the behavior Examples: - Students before A levels are nervous and not relaxed due to high stress levels and expectations set for them by themselves or others. - A new mother may be tired, sensitive, and stressed because she has never raised a child before, and also because she is unaccustomed to her new schedule. - Some mental disorders don't necessarily prevent people from functioning adequately Example: Even though a scientist is afraid of the public, s/he can work in isolation. - The reason of failing to function adequately may have nothing to do with abnormalities and it may just be to social and economic reasons Example: A poor person may not be able to fulfill some commonly expected goals because s/he is likely to lack the economic ability and not mental instability.

Annotations:

• In 1958, Marie Jahoda argued that it would be better to focus on common concepts to describe mental health and then look for deviation from these. AIM of Perfectly Healthy People (AIMPHP) A - Autonomy: can act independently and make own decisions I - Integration: can form positive relationships M - Mastery of environment: can meet demands within different situations and adapt to changing circumstances P - Personal growth and Development: developing talents and abilities to the full H - High self-esteem: positive view of self P - Perceiving reality accurately: seeing the world as it really is

1. Limitations

   Annotations:

   • - Context! What an individual may or may not possess matters. Poorer people are not necessarily mentally unhealthy. - Different cultures and generations may have different definitions as to what is mentally healthy