Task Fill in the gaps on the page entitled ‘Review of DSN’

Improving evaluation points PEEPEE

Possible exam question Outline one weakness of defining abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms. (3 marks) How would you begin this answer?

Example answer – 3/3 One weakness of this definition of abnormality is that does not account for the fact that deviating from social norms may be a good thing. For example, slavery was once considered ‘normal’ in our society and it might have been considered abnormal not to have one or more slaves in a household. However, when some members of this social group broke norms and opposed slavery, the result was the abolition of slavery. This shows that breaking social norms may actually stimulate positive social change.

Failure to Function Adequately Under this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. They may be unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day-to-day living e.g. self-care, hold down a job, interact meaningfully with others, make themselves understood etc.

Failure to Function Adequately Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) suggest the following characteristics: –Maladaptiveness (behaviour that interferes with a person’s daily routine) –Suffering –Vividness & unconventionality (stands out) –Unpredictability & loss of control –Irrationality/incomprehensibility –Causes observer discomfort/distress –Violates moral/social standards

Failure to Function Adequately This definition can depend on context; adequate functioning is defined largely by social norms e.g. political prisoners on hunger strike. Also 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, they might actually be considered more abnormal if they functioned as usual). Therefore this definition lacks generalisability.

Failing to function adequately may not be linked to a psychological disorder, e.g. subcultures such as immigrant communities cannot find job and develop career due to prejudice and discrimination. Therefore, failing to function is not a valid way of defining psychopathology. Psychological disorders may not prevent person from functioning adequately, e.g. people with psychopathic personality disorders can appear perfectly normal. Therefore this definition cannot always define accurately those with a psychological disorder.

Deviation from Ideal Mental health Under this definition, rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal/ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal This requires us to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Psychologists vary, but usual characteristics include: –Self attitude – have positive view of the self –Personal growth and self actualisation – developing full potential –Autonomy - independence –Accurate perception of reality –Integration – managing stress –Environmental mastery – able to meet the varying demands of day-to-day situations

Jahoda (1958) Task: Make up an acronym to help you remember the 6 categories that make up the ‘deviation from ideal health’ definition

Evaluation Criteria may be too strict. For example, it is very difficult for any individual to consistently meet all 6 criteria for ideal mental health. Therefore, according to this definition, we would all be defined as ‘abnormal’ at some point.

Evaluation Definition lacks cultural relativism. For example, Jahoda’s criteria apply to Western norms and values (e.g. striving to be autonomous and independent) in individualist cultures. It may be that collectivist cultures do not strive to meet the same criteria and therefore the definition would not be applicable to people in these cultures as most of them would be defined as ‘abnormal’.

Task Fill in the summary table for all definitions

Homework Make your own revision notes on the description and evaluation of all 3 definitions of abnormality for a test next week.