Download Definitions of Abnormality

Problems exist with all the definitions we have
examined.
Subjectivity
Over- and under-inclusivity
Cultural relativity
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Definitions of Abnormality
Does not consider the desirability of behaviours
or traits.
Very high intelligence or extremely altruistic
behaviour are both statistically rare, but would not
generally be classed as ‘abnormal’.
Many rare behaviours or characteristics (e.g. left
handedness) have no bearing on normality or
abnormality
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Statistical Infrequency
Some behaviours/characteristics are regarded
as abnormal even though they are quite
frequent.
Depression may affect 27% of elderly people (NIMH,
2001). This would make it common but that does
not mean it isn’t a problem
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Statistical Infrequency
Social norms change between cultures and over
time. Consequently, so do people’s conceptions
of abnormality.
Homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness
until 1973, but not any more.
Cross-cultural misunderstandings are common, and
may contribute to e.g. high diagnosis rate of
schizophrenia amongst non-white British people
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Violation of Social Norms
Classification of abnormality can only based on
the context in which behaviour occurs
Same behaviour might be normal or abnormal e.g.
undressing in bathroom or classroom
A subjective judgement is usually necessary e.g.
there may be situational factors unknown to the
observer
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Violation of Social Norms
Social norms vary from one culture
or society to another
social norms vary from one time to
another
Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas in 1893
On 25 May 1895 Wilde was convicted of gross indecency
and sentenced to two years' hard labour.
In 1973, the weight of empirical data, coupled with changing
social norms and the development of a politically active gay
community in the United States, led the Board of Directors of the
American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Some psychiatrists who fiercely opposed their action
subsequently circulated a petition calling for a vote on the issue
by the Association's membership. That vote was held in 1974,
and the Board's decision was ratified.
Deviation from social norms may
sometimes be illegal rather than
abnormal!
Categories are based on a Western
and individualist cultural ideal so
the measure is ethnocentric
A drive to realise self potential may look odd to
some!
Interpretation is subjective.
Who decides which looks normal?
Adequate functioning is defined largely by social
norms (see ‘deviation from…’)
Most people fail to function adequately at some
time, but are not considered ‘abnormal’
After a bereavement most people find it difficult to
cope normally
Ironically, they might actually be considered more
abnormal if they functioned as usual
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Failure to Function Adequately
Many people engage in behaviour that is
maladaptive/harmful or threatening to self, but
we don’t class them as abnormal
Adrenaline sports
Smoking, drinking alcohol
Skipping classes
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Failure to Function Adequately
What is considered ideal is historically and
culturally specific (see ‘deviation from social…’)
Jahoda’s and others’ criteria may set the bar too
high.
Strictly applied, so few people actually meet these
criteria that everyone ends up classed as abnormal
and so the concept could become meaningless
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Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL
HEALTH
This judges mental health in the same way as
physical health, a person requires certain
attributes to be mentally healthy.
Jahoda found six categories that were
commonly referred to as desirable for mental
health.
good self image
drive to realize self-potential
ability to cope with stress
being independent (autonomous)
having an accurate perception of reality
Being able to adapt to changes in the
environment
absence of these indicates abnormality.
It is unclear how far a person could
deviate before being defined as
abnormal
Tattoos and piercings are now accepted as
normal but even these may sometimes viewed
as abnormal… does this indicate psychological
abnormality?
How is psychological abnormality
really judged.
The dominant approach to psychopathology (the study
of psychological abnormality) is the biological or
medical model
This sees psychological abnormality in terms of:
signs and symptoms that regularly occur together
and can therefore be referred to as a syndrome
these syndromes are distinctive from any other
signs and symptoms and can therefore be identified
as a particular disorder.
Two major Classification systems
The International Classification System for
Diseases –ICD was developed by the World
Health Organization (WHO) – currently in it’s 10th
edition. Mental disorders were first included in
1952 and form only a small section of the
manual
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders – DSM – was developed by th
American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952.
The current edition is the 4th.
This is generally used by mental health
professionals mainly to make diagnoses.
Problems with Diagnosis &
Classification
Even using these systems there can be significant
disagreement between psychiatrists - this is
generally because symptoms of different disorders
overlap
There is an overemphasis of the biological aspects
of the disorders with psychological factors
minimised.
Labelling a person as having a particular disorder
may stigmatise them so raises ethical issues.