Abnormality

Abnormality

Failure to function adequately
1. Evaluation
  1. Recognises the experience of the patient so we can view mental disorder from their point of view
  2. For some e.g. psychopaths have a high level of function but would still be considered abnormal by a psychiatrist. This definition does not apply to all
  3. Easy to judge because we can list behaviours and therefore indicate abnormality
  4. Individuals may feel content in situation, others are uncomfortable. WHO JUDGES?
2. Judged on ability to go about everyday life
3. For example eating or washing regularly
Deviation from social norms
1. Departing or diverging from standard behaviour in a given society
2. isolates mentally ill
3. Evaluation
  1. It is straightforward to indicate individuals that have a mental health problem so they can receive treatment. So by this, it will benefit the individual so they are offered treatment and society.
  2. Does not take into account the context e.g.wearing a bikini on a beach is acceptable but not at a social event.
  3. Allows change as society evolves e.g. homosexuality used to be classified as a mental disorder on the DSM.
  4. Some believe that because it allows change it just excludes nonconformists from society. Therefore not reliable
  5. Based on what disturbs others so it is culture relative
4. Based on dominant group which is white middle class
Deviation from ideal mental health
1. Marie Jahoda
2. composes of 6 things
  1. Self-actualisation (personal growth)
  2. Self attitudes
  3. Integration
    1. Being able to cope in stressful situations
  4. Autonomy
    1. Being independant
  5. Accurate perception of reality
  6. Mastery of environment
    1. ability to love, function at work and adjust to new situations
3. An absence of criteria indicates abnormality and possibly a mental disorder
4. Evaluation
  1. Difficult to measure
  2. According to this crate many of us will be abnormal so it is unrealistic
  3. Suggests mental health is the same as physical health, even though it's more complicated than that. And this crate suggests that they are easy to detect but mental health issues are based on life experience.
  4. Offers an alternative approach towards mental, health in a more positive manner.
  5. Indicates what characteristics are desirable or not
Statistical Infrequency
1. Mean, Mode and median
2. Behaviour found in individuals which is rare is considered abnormal
3. Evaluation
  1. Difficult to determine when there is a cut-off point as to when something is abnormal or normal. Eg. difficulty sleeping in depression
  2. It is objective as it is statistical information to reach a conclusion on someones mental health
  3. Does not indicate what characteristics are desirable or not e.g. high IQ, as its rare it is considered as statistically infrequent
  4. DSM is based in west where dominate population is white middle class, so therefore is not applicable in other cultures and regions
4. High IQ

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	Created by Caitlin Browne about 8 years ago