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Twenty Questions

This article discusses different definitions of abnormality, including statistical deviation, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, and deviation from ideal mental health. It explores the limitations of each definition and their relevance in identifying psychological disorders such as OCD, phobias, depression, and schizophrenia.

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Twenty Questions

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  1. Twenty Questions Definitions of Abnormality

  2. Twenty Questions

  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 Back

  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. Back

  7. 5. What psychological disorders are we going to study? • OCD • Phobias • Depression • Schizophrenia Back

  8. 6. The statistical infrequency definition asks one simple question. What is it? • How unusual is the behaviour being displayed? Back

  9. 7. How does the statistical definition explain abnormal behaviour? • Statistically frequent behavior = normal • Statistically infrequent behavior = abnormal Back

  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. Back

  12. 10. According to the social norms definition, what is abnormal behaviour? • Anything that violates these norms is considered abnormal Back

  13. 11. What are social norms? • Social norms are implicit rules about how we ought to behave in society. • Back

  14. 12. IDENTIFY 3 BEHAVIOURS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SOCIAL NORMS IN OUR SOCIETY • Manners, queuing, getting dressed, hygiene …. List is endless! Back

  15. 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? • Back

  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 • Back

  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 • Back

  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 Back

  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 • Back

  22. 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 Back

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