1. Definitions of Abnormality
Twenty Questions
Definitions of Abnormality

2. Twenty Questions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

3. 1. How many definitions of abnormality do we need to know?4

4. 2. What are 2 definitions of abnormality?
Statistical Deviation
Deviation from social norms
Failure to function adequately
Deviation from ideal mental health
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5. 3. What is the main problem with defining abnormality?
Abnormality is difficult to define

6. 4. Why do we need to define abnormality?
Primarily to help with identifying psychological disorders.
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7. 5. What psychological disorders are we going to study?
OCD
Phobias
Depression
Schizophrenia
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8. 6. The statistical infrequency definition asks one simple question
6. The statistical infrequency definition asks one simple question. What is it?
How unusual is the behaviour being displayed?
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9. 7. How does the statistical definition explain abnormal behaviour?
Statistically frequent behavior = normal
Statistically infrequent behavior = abnormal
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10. 8. How is behaviour measured in the statistical infrequency definition?
Normal distribution curve

11. 9. What are some limitations of the statistically infrequent definition?
The cut off points are rather arbitrary. How can someone with an IQ of 70 be considered normal, whilst a person with an IQ of 1 point difference (69) be considered abnormal?
It ignores desirability of behaviour, in terms of IQ we might accept that someone has an abnormally low IQ, but we would probably all wish to have a high IQ and wouldn’t label that as abnormal.
Some disorders, for example depression, are statistically very frequent, but still classified as abnormal.
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12. 10. According to the social norms definition, what is abnormal behaviour?
Anything that violates these norms is considered abnormal
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13. 11. What are social norms?
Social norms are implicit rules about how we ought to behave in society.
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14. 12. Identify 3 behaviours that are considered social norms in our society
Manners, queuing, getting dressed, hygiene …. List is endless!
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15. 13. Is deviating from social norms always a bad thing
13. Is deviating from social norms always a bad thing? Can you think of people in history who deviated from the social norm?
Any minority group?! Back

16. 14. What is a limitation of social norms definition?
Abnormal or eccentric?
The role of context?
Changes over time?
Social control?
The role of culture?
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17. 15. How does the definition failure to function adequately explain abnormal behaviour?
If someone can not carry out everyday tasks and lead what would be considered a ‘normal’ life, they would be seen as abnormal
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18. Give an example of someone with the inability to function adequately?
Someone may be unable to hold down a job or take part in everyday activities, such as shopping or work.
An agoraphobic would be considered abnormal because their fear of leaving the house would seriously impair their ability to live a normal life
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19. 17. Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) suggested certain features that may indicate whether someone is functioning adequately or not. Give 2 of them
Observer discomfort
Unpredictability
Irrationality
Maladaptiveness
Personal suffering and distress

20. Give 1 limitation of the Failure to function adequately definition?
Context, e.g. political protests
Many have a psychological disorder but function adequately
Culture!
Objective definition when we need to be subjective
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21. 19. How does the deviation from ideal mental health definition explain abnormality?
This definition instead attempts to define normality, and assumes that absence of normality indicates abnormality
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22. 20. Jahoda attempted to identify features of ideal mental health
20. Jahoda attempted to identify features of ideal mental health. What approach of psychology does he use? Can you give one example
Humanistic
Positive attitude towards the self
Self actualization
Resistance to stress
Autonomy
Accurate perception of reality
Environmental mastery
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