Definitions of Abnormality | Psychopathology | AQA Psychology | A-level

Summary

This video delves into the topic of abnormal psychology, focusing on the definitions of abnormality in the context of psychological disorders. It explores four key definitions: statistical deviation, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, and deviation from ideal mental health. The video highlights the strengths and limitations of each definition, providing insights into how abnormal behavior is diagnosed and understood. Examples, critiques, and cultural perspectives are also discussed to offer a comprehensive view of the complexities involved in identifying and defining abnormal behavior.

Takeaways

• 😀 Psychopathology is the study of psychological disorders, and understanding abnormality is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
• 😀 There are four main definitions of abnormality: statistical deviation, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, and deviation from ideal mental health.
• 😀 Statistical deviation defines abnormality based on rarity or infrequency of behavior, using statistics to identify what is 'normal'. However, it can misclassify desirable traits like high intelligence as abnormal.
• 😀 Deviation from social norms focuses on societal expectations and defines abnormality as behaviors that violate these norms. While flexible, it can be subjective and culturally biased.
• 😀 Failure to function adequately assesses a person’s ability to cope with everyday life, considering distress, irrationality, and social withdrawal. However, it may overlook abnormal behaviors in those who function normally in other areas.
• 😀 Deviation from ideal mental health is based on criteria for good mental health, like self-actualization and autonomy. While comprehensive, it sets an unrealistically high standard and may not apply across cultures.
• 😀 The statistical deviation definition is praised for being objective, using clear numerical guidelines, but it can overlook common mental health issues like depression that aren’t rare.
• 😀 Deviation from social norms is flexible, adapting to changing societal values, but it can lead to misinterpretation due to cultural differences and subjective judgment.
• 😀 Failure to function adequately is more personalized and takes an individual’s experiences into account, but it might miss cases where abnormal behavior doesn't impair functioning, like some criminals.
• 😀 The deviation from ideal mental health definition can be criticized for being ethnocentric, reflecting a Western individualistic view that may not apply to collectivist cultures.
• 😀 Each definition of abnormality has strengths and limitations, and a combination of them might be necessary for a more comprehensive understanding and diagnosis of psychological disorders.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video introduces the topic of psychopathology, focusing on the definitions of abnormality and how psychological disorders such as phobias, depression, and OCD are diagnosed, explained, and treated.

What is psychopathology?

Psychopathology is the study of psychological disorders, including their diagnosis, characteristics, symptoms, and treatment.

What is statistical deviation, and how is it used to define abnormality?

Statistical deviation, also known as statistical infrequency, defines abnormal behavior as rare or infrequent, based on its occurrence in a normal distribution. If a behavior occurs significantly less or more than the average, it is considered abnormal.

What are the strengths of using statistical deviation to define abnormality?

One of the strengths of statistical deviation is its objectivity. It relies on clear, numerical guidelines and standardized measurements, which help reduce personal interpretations and make the process more accurate.

What are some limitations of statistical deviation in defining abnormality?

Statistical deviation can label desirable or healthy behaviors, like high intelligence, as abnormal, even though they are not problematic. It also misses conditions that are statistically common, such as depression, which may not be considered abnormal according to this definition.

What does deviation from social norms mean, and how does it define abnormality?

Deviation from social norms defines abnormal behavior based on whether it goes against societal expectations. Behaviors that break explicit or implicit social rules are considered abnormal.

What are the advantages of using deviation from social norms to define abnormality?

This definition is flexible and can adapt to changing societal norms. It also allows for a broader understanding of abnormality beyond just statistical rarity, accommodating different behaviors that might not be unusual but are socially unacceptable.

What are some drawbacks of using deviation from social norms to define abnormality?

Deviation from social norms lacks objectivity, as the definition can vary depending on individual opinions. It is also culturally biased, as different cultures may have different norms, leading to potential misdiagnoses due to ethnocentrism.

What does the failure to function adequately definition focus on?

The failure to function adequately definition focuses on whether an individual is able to cope with the demands of everyday life. It considers factors such as personal distress, irrationality, and the inability to perform daily activities due to psychological conditions.

How does the failure to function adequately definition address abnormality?

If a person cannot cope with daily life, experiences significant distress, or behaves irrationally (e.g., putting themselves or others in danger), they may be considered to be functioning inadequately, and their behavior would be seen as abnormal.

What is one limitation of the failure to function adequately definition?

One limitation is that some individuals with abnormal behaviors, such as criminals with no distress, may still be able to function normally in daily life, meaning their behavior would not be diagnosed according to this definition.

What is the deviation from ideal mental health definition, and how does it work?

The deviation from ideal mental health defines abnormality by identifying what constitutes good psychological health. It compares individuals' behavior to an ideal standard, which includes factors like self-actualization, positive self-esteem, and coping with stress.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the deviation from ideal mental health definition?

A strength of this definition is that it provides a comprehensive framework for mental well-being. However, it is criticized for being unrealistic, as it sets a high standard that few people can meet, and it is culturally biased, particularly reflecting Western ideals of individualism.

How do cultural factors impact the definition of abnormality?

Cultural differences can influence how abnormality is defined. For example, behaviors considered abnormal in one culture may be perfectly acceptable in another. This cultural variation can lead to misdiagnoses, as in the case of Afro-Caribbean individuals being more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia in the UK due to cultural biases.