, Psychopathology
Definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency
*The most obvious way to define normal/abnormal is according to the number of
times it occurs
* Iq and intellectual disability disorder/ mental retardation is when you score less
than 70
Mental retardation- Statistical deviation is used to diagnose patients
IQ- scores over 130 is also seen as abnormal, but it isn’t seen as an undesirable
characteristic
Unbeneficial labelling- Not everyone benefits from a label, if someone’s low IQ isn’t
bothering them then there’s no point in labelling them, this may have a negative
effect on the way they view themselves.
Deviation from social norms
*When a person behaves in a way that is different from how they are expected to
behave
* Social norms may be different for each generation or culture, there are few
behaviours that would be universally abnormal
* Antisocial personality disorder
Culture bound- Social Norms vary within different cultures, this can create
problems for people from one culture living within another culture group.
Human rights abuse- Can lead to systemic abuse of human rights, some diagnosis
were there to maintain control over minority ethnic groups and women.
Failure to function adequately
* When they are unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene
* Severely distressed to themselves and others
* Unpredictable
Subjective experience- Allows professionals to help people and adapt and monitor
treatments
Who can judge?- Who can say when someone is failing to function, this can lead
to being judged negatively which could be more damaging for the individual.
Deviation from ideal mental health
* Those who don’t deviate are described as:
* Having good self esteem
* Stress free
* Successful
Criteria- Good range of criteria to assess someone’s mental health and allows
people to be diagnosed and treated
Culture bound- Values individualistic ideas over non-western collectivists.
Definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency
*The most obvious way to define normal/abnormal is according to the number of
times it occurs
* Iq and intellectual disability disorder/ mental retardation is when you score less
than 70
Mental retardation- Statistical deviation is used to diagnose patients
IQ- scores over 130 is also seen as abnormal, but it isn’t seen as an undesirable
characteristic
Unbeneficial labelling- Not everyone benefits from a label, if someone’s low IQ isn’t
bothering them then there’s no point in labelling them, this may have a negative
effect on the way they view themselves.
Deviation from social norms
*When a person behaves in a way that is different from how they are expected to
behave
* Social norms may be different for each generation or culture, there are few
behaviours that would be universally abnormal
* Antisocial personality disorder
Culture bound- Social Norms vary within different cultures, this can create
problems for people from one culture living within another culture group.
Human rights abuse- Can lead to systemic abuse of human rights, some diagnosis
were there to maintain control over minority ethnic groups and women.
Failure to function adequately
* When they are unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene
* Severely distressed to themselves and others
* Unpredictable
Subjective experience- Allows professionals to help people and adapt and monitor
treatments
Who can judge?- Who can say when someone is failing to function, this can lead
to being judged negatively which could be more damaging for the individual.
Deviation from ideal mental health
* Those who don’t deviate are described as:
* Having good self esteem
* Stress free
* Successful
Criteria- Good range of criteria to assess someone’s mental health and allows
people to be diagnosed and treated
Culture bound- Values individualistic ideas over non-western collectivists.
