ABNORMALITY What Makes You Normal? - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

ABNORMALITY

What Makes You Normal?Slide2

Outline what is meant by the terms

compliance and identification. Refer to real

life examples to illustrate your points (6)

Compliance is a type of

conformity

where people go along with the

majority publically but retain different views privately. This type of

conformity usually occurs because of

normative social influence

. An

example of compliance is when you say you like a song that your friends are enthusiastic about even though you really like a different kind of musicWe do this in order to

fit in and be liked and to avoid rejection

from the

group.

Identification is a type of

conformity

where we go along with a majority

both publicly and privately but this is only a

temporary change

. When the

social pressures of the group are no longer there we no longer identify

with their views or beliefs. An example would be going to university and

becoming a vegan because many of your friends at university were

vegan. You would do this

publicly and privately

until leaving university and reverting back to a meat eater.Slide3

When Milgram conducted his research in a run down office, he found obedience levels dropped fro 65% to 48%. Explain why

obedience levels dropped in this situation. (4)

One situational factor that affects obedience is location. Milgram carried out his original research at Yale

University which is a high status location and

participants would have believed the research to be a

Legitimate scientific study

. However, when this

research was conducted in a run down office this reduced the power of the experimenter and so participants

may have questioned the

legitimacy of the authority

Figure.

Therefore, they were less likely to obey an

authority figure in this situation because of a lack of

trust. Slide4

Explain why research into social influence is often criticised for lacking validity. Refer to research in your answer. (6)

Research into social influence is often carried out in controlled laboratory conditions. Because of this it can be criticised for lacking

ecological validity

. Research such as Asch(1951) tested participants on their level of conformity in groups of confederates who were not known to the participant. This can be criticised for lacking

ecological validity

as when we conform in real life it is usually to people we are familiar with or people we want to feel a sense of belonging to. This again means these findings are difficult to generalise to outside the controlled environment. Milgram's research has also been criticised for lacking

internal validity

. It has been pointed out that participants we're aware that the shocks were not real and just went along with what they thought the researcher wanted. This response to the demand characteristics of the experiment reduces the

internal validity

. Finally, it can be argued that research also lacks

population validity

as much of the research has used only male participants. This means the results cannot be generalised to females as their response to social pressures may be different.Slide5

To understand what is abnormal we have to

decide what is normal. What makes a person normal?

What words would you use to describe abnormal behaviour or an abnormal person?

Three words to describe normal

Three words to describe abnormalSlide6
Slide7

What is normal?Slide8
Slide9
Slide10

Deviation from social norms

Failure to function adequately

Statistical infrequency

Deviation from ideal mental healthSlide11

Easter holiday homework was to complete the definitions booklet.

Four definitions, each one needs to be described for around 4 marks and evaluated for around 6 marks.

In your groups create a poster of these definitions.

Include a description and example and at least two evaluation points.

Make as creative as you can – these will serve as revision material.Slide12

Deviation from Social Norms

Social norms

are

unwritten rules or accepted codes of behaviour in a culture or society. They are expectations of how people should behave

Deviations from social norms

is when a person is breaking from the particular norms of a particular societySlide13

Identify at least two examples of

social norms in our society.

Discuss examples of when people may

break these social

Norms – Do you consider them abnormal?

Extension

How do you think culture may play a role in social norms?Slide14

Examples of Social Norms

Queuing

Eye contactWearing clothesNot talking to strangersKeeping distanceSlide15

Men in the Wodaabe Tribe don elaborate make up and dress to attract females. Would the same behaviour in the West be considered normal?Slide16

Failure to Function Adequately

Hello I am Mr. Messy and I am very messy. My house is messy, my garden is messy and as you can see I am messySlide17

Failure to Function Adequately

According to this definition people are abnormal if they are unable to deal with the demands of everyday life. This would include keeping oneself clean, tidying up and getting to work/college/school in the morning.

This was expanded by Rosenhan and Seligman to cover several features of abnormality.

Expand on the features in your work book. You can use the tips around the room to help you.

Extension

Expand on the other definitions giving your own examples and descriptions.Slide18

100

|

91

Superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life's problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his or her many positive qualities. No symptoms.

90

|

|

81 

Absent or minimal symptoms

(

e.g.

, mild anxiety before an exam),

good functioning in all areas, interested and involved in a wide range of activities, socially effective, generally satisfied with life, no more than everyday problems or concerns

(

e.g.

, an occasional argument with family members).

80

|

|

71 

If symptoms are present, they are transient and expectable reactions to psychosocial stressors

(

e.g.

, difficulty concentrating after family argument);

no more than slight impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning

(

e.g.

, temporarily falling behind in schoolwork).

70

|

 | 

61

Some mild symptoms

(

e.g.

, depressed mood and mild insomnia)

OR some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning

(

e.g.

, occasional truancy, or theft within the household),

but generally functioning pretty well, has some meaningful interpersonal relationships.

60

|

|

51 

Moderate symptoms

(

e.g.

, flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks)

OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning

(

e.g.

, few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers).

50

|

|

41 

Serious symptoms

(

e.g.

, suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting)

OR any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning

(

e.g.

, no friends, unable to keep a job).

40

|

|

|

31 

Some impairment in reality testing or communication

(

e.g.

, speech is at times illogical, obscure, or irrelevant)

OR major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood

(

e.g.

, depressed man avoids friends, neglects family, and is unable to work; child frequently beats up younger children, is defiant at home, and is failing at school).

0

Inadequate information.Slide19

30

|

|

21

Behavior is considerably influenced by delusions or hallucinations OR serious impairment, in communication or judgment

(

e.g.

, sometimes incoherent, acts grossly inappropriately, suicidal preoccupation) OR inability to function in almost all areas (e.g., stays in bed all day, no job, home, or friends)

20

| 

|

11 

Some danger of hurting self or others

(

e.g.

, suicide attempts without clear expectation of death; frequently violent; manic excitement)

OR occasionally fails to maintain minimal personal hygiene

(

e.g.

, smears feces)

OR gross impairment in communication

(

e.g.

, largely incoherent or mute).

10 

| 

1 

Persistent danger of severely hurting self or others

(

e.g.

, recurrent violence)

OR persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene OR serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death.

0

Inadequate information.Slide20

Kaja

Eszter

BryonPatrick

Jasmine

Martina

Zach

Libby

Ilayda

Ibrahim

Amy

Rosa

Taila

Marvin a

Steven

Brandon

Danny

Rafa

Sophie

Jess

Ryan

Callum

AntounSlide21

What role does culture play in the definition are there cultural differences in behaviour that mean you can not make an absolute judgement about the behaviour with considering the cultural context of the behaviour. Can you give an example?

Does the definition help clinicians make a diagnosis by providing a checklist for abnormality?

Does the definition help society in any way?

Do you always function adequately? Are there times when people are not expected to function adequately? Does this make them abnormal? Can you give examples?

Is the definition simply a method of social control?

Do social norms change over time?

Does abnormal behaviour ne essarily mean you can not function. Are there abnormal behaviours where people function well. Can you give examples?Slide22

Tom’s behaviour is often unpredictable. This can be unprovoked violent outbursts or childlike behaviour. When Tom is in public places people often walk away from him or look away. Tom’s behaviour stops him from keeping down a job and forming relationships.

Tyrone has recently reduced his food intake so he often feels quite weak. He has also started smoking and drinking heavily since his wife left him

Observer discomfort

Unpredictability

Failure to Function

Maladaptive behaviour

Failure to function

Luigi has developed a habit of talking to strangers wherever he can. He talks to people on the bus, in shops and in the waiting room at the doctors. He often discloses quite personal information with people he doesn't know at all.

Deviation from Social NormsSlide23

Petrie has been feeling rather low lately and his

absences from work are threatening his chances of promotion. His sudden outbursts of rage can be quite scary to others and yesterday he turned up at work with his hair dyed white blond

Explain Petrie's behaviour by reference to the failure to Function Adequately definition of abnormality. (4)Slide24

Petrie is displaying a number of behaviours that may suggest he is failing to function adequately. He is showing

maladaptive

behaviour by having frequent absences from work. Maladaptive behaviour stops us reaching our goals in life and these absences are putting his chances of promotion at risk. He is also showing a loss of control with his sudden outbursts of rage. This makes his behaviour

unpredictable

and

irrational

which are both features of failing to function adequately. Finally Petrie is showing

unconventional

behaviour by coming to work with his hair dyed bright blond. This unconventional behaviour is also a sign of failing to function adequately.Slide25

Limitation of Deviating from Social Norms

Cultural relativism

Y

ou

can not judge

behaviour

unless it is viewed within the context of the culture from which it originates

Deviating from social norms is culture specific

What is judged as abnormal in one culture may not be in anotherSlide26

Men in the Wodaabe Tribe don elaborate make up and dress to attract females. Would the same behaviour in the West be considered normal?Slide27

Limitation Deviation from Social Norms

Historical context also determines what is viewed as abnormal

Single mothers

Homosexuality

Overt sexuality

So we have to judge the behaviour in terms of the time period – social norms change over timeSlide28

Strength of Social Norms

This definition allows society to function in a predictable way. It protects society from the effects of an individual's abnormal behaviour and the effect this has on others.Slide29

Limitation of Failure to Function

This definition involves making a value judgement about a persons behaviour

This is based on the values of a society, culture or sub culture

What may be viewed a failure to function in one society might be admired in another.

Examples – prolonged periods of mourning, covering whole face and body when going outSlide30

Limitations of Failing to Function Adequately

The context of the behaviour needs to be considered

A student may not wash or tidy their room whilst their exams are on.

A new mum might not wash her hair or eat properly.

Refusing to eat?Slide31

Strength of Failing to Function Adequately

This definition provides a practical checklist for people to assess their level of functioning.

It also allows clinicians to assess an individuals level of functioning to decide if they need psychiatric help.Slide32
Slide33

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Ideal Mental Health

A set of behaviours which combine to produce a ‘healthy state of mind’. It is seen as a state everyone should aspire to.

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Lack of, or movement away from the qualities that contribute to a healthy state of mindSlide34

Ideal Mental Health

Developed Marie Jahoda

6 Criteria that suggest Ideal

Mental Health

Focuses on the positive rather

than the negative

Positive self attitude

Self Actualisation

Environmental mastery

Autonomy

Resistance to stress

Accurate perception of realitySlide35

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.

Jahoda

(1958) defined six criteria by which mental health could be measured:

o Positive view of the self

o Capability for growth and development

o Autonomy and independence

o Accurate perception of reality

o

Resistance to stress

o Environmental mastery – able to meet the varying demands of day-to-day situations

Strengths

Weakness

Focuses on what is mentally healthy rather than unhealthy.

It is culturally relative – what is ideal in one culture may not be in another.

Allows for targeted intervention

The criteria may be an ideal but not possible to achieve – the majority of us would be abnormalSlide36

Limitations 1

Autonomy

and independence are thought to be culturally relative. In collectivist cultures co-operation and being reliant on others is valued. It is only in the West that beings independent is a desirable trait.Slide37

Limitations 2

Self Actualisation

is a term coined by Maslow who believed that very few people would ‘self actualise’.

Maslow believed people who reach this level are more psychologically well-adjusted

But as most people do not self actualise it can not be viewed as necessary for mental health.Slide38

Limitations 3 (well not a limitation really)

A good thing about this definition is that it focuses on positive aspects of mental health rather than mental illnessSlide39

http://dpa.state.ky.us/library/manuals/mental/Ch22.htmlSlide40
Slide41

Statistical Infrequency

According to this definition, a behaviour is seen as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon, or not seen very often in society.

Strengths

Weakness

This definition is based on real data rather than opinion, therefore it is unbiased and objective.

Does not distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours

Some behaviours that are considered abnormal are actually quite common, such as mild depression and anxiety disorders.Slide42

I label people as abnormal if their

behaviour stops them carrying out everyday tasks.

2. One limitation of this definition is that

general

ly

accepted

behaviours

differ from culture to culture

3.

This definition includes behaviours such as unpredictability and observer discomfort.

4. These are the unwritten rules of a society

5. This is part

of ideal mental health and refers to fulfilling ones true potential.Slide43

Jeremy

has recently stopped going into work as he is finding it difficult to get out of bed in the mornings due to extreme fatigue. He has started to get into trouble at work. He started to feel there is no point it getting up because everything is making him sad.

Althea refuses

to wear shoes when she goes out. She likes the feel of the pavement in her feet and doesn’t mind if her feet get very dirty.Slide44

Outline the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality and explain one limitation of this

definition (4)

The statistical infrequency definition assumes that if your behaviour is

rare in a population

then

you are abnormal. It can be measured by using a

normal distribution graph

. The majority of the

population will fall between the mean and two

standard deviations

above or below the mean. If you fall outside of this then you belong to less than 5% of the population and would beconsidered abnormal. An example of this is IQ as two standard deviations or more below the

mean would give you an IQ of 70 or less, which would be considered abnormal.

One limitation with this definition is that it does not distinguish between abnormal behaviours that are

desirable

and those that are

undesirable

. For example, having an IQ of 140 would be

statistically rare but would still be considered desirable. However, according to this definition this would be statistically infrequent and so still label you as abnormal.Slide45

http://goanimate.com/movie/0X0zKn83Npz4?utm_source=emailshare&refuser=0yGG4fHZ-ywo