Outline and evaluate definitions of abnormality. Abnormality has three definitions. The first definition is deviation from social norms. Social norms are the approved and expected ways of behaving in a particular society. In terms of social norms‚ abnormal behaviour can be seen as behaviour that deviates from or violates social norms. The key weakness of the deviation of social norms is cultural relativity. Social norms by their very definition are specific to a particular
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There are three definitions of abnormality; the first is deviation from social norms. A person will be diagnosed with this when they have deviated from the unwritten rules and standards of society making them seem abnormal. Jahoda identified this abnormality and said there were 6 conditions associated with good mental health. A positive attitude‚ Self-actualisation‚ Resistance to stress‚ Personal autonomy‚ accurate perception of reality‚ and Adaption to the environment. However there are limitations
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Outline and evaluate two or more definitions of abnormality? (12 Marks) Deviation from social norms is a definition of abnormality. The word ‘deviation’ in this definition is referring to deviant behaviour (behaviour which is considered anti-social or undesirable by the majority of society members). In society there are social norms (standards of acceptable behaviour that are set by the social group). These standards are often in place for good reason. An example of a social norm is politeness as
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Outline and evaluate one or more definitions of abnormality (12) Deviation from social norms is one definition of abnormality‚ according to this definition you are considered to be ’abnormal’ if you engage in a behaviour that the rest of society does not as society has accepted specific patterns of behaviour that they consider to be ’normal’ such as being polite‚ going to work and education and more. There are unwritten social rules that we have to stick to‚ these rules care culturally relative
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Outline and evaluate the psychodynamic approach to abnormality The psychodynamic approach to abnormality assumes that unconscious desires and memories influence behaviour and may lead to abnormality. It claims that personality develops in the childhood through a number of psychosexual stages and that too much or too little pleasure at one of these can lead to fixation and abnormal behaviour. For example‚ between the ages of two and four‚ children are in the anal stage- too much focus on holding in
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Outline and evaluate the Psychodynamic approach to abnormality (12marks) It claims that personality develops in childhood through a number of ‘psychosexual stages’ and that too much or too little pleasure at one of these can lead to fixation and abnormal behaviour. For example between the ages of two and four children are in the anal stage – too much focus on holding in faeces during this time can lead to an ‘anally retentive’ adult personality which is obsessively neat and tidy‚ in some cases leading
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Outline and evaluate the biological approach to abnormality? The biological or medical approach regards abnormality as illness or disease. Mental illness is thought to be related to the physical structure and functioning of the brain. There are four possible causal factors of abnormality: brain damage‚ infection‚ biochemistry and genes. The first factor is brain damage. Abnormal behaviour may occur if the structure of the brain is damaged in some way. Once disease or brain damage has caused mental
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Outline and evaluate the biological model of abnormality (12 marks) The biological model of abnormality is the idea that all behaviour is rooted in underlying physical processes. The biological model of abnormality assumes that there is a physiological reason for psychological disorders. The disorders are considered an illness and supposedly make a person with these ’disorders’ abnormal. The model indicates that mental illnesses resemble physical illnesses and are thought to be treated in a similar
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Outline and Evaluate the biological approach to abnormality The biological approach sees abnormality as a physical illness and removes psychological blame and responsibility for the behaviour form the patients. Biochemistry; which is where abnormal functioning in the brain can be caused by abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and hormones. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that allow neurones to communicate with one another at synapses. Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted
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Outline and evaluate the behavioural approach to abnormality This approach focuses on the behaviour of the person to explain psychological abnormalities. It believes that the behaviour is learnt‚ and therefore can be unlearnt. It focuses on 3 different things: classical conditioning‚ operant conditioning and social learning theory. Classical conditioning was developed by Pavlov through his work on animals. He explained the development of abnormal behaviours through stimulus-response associations
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