1.) Examine the concepts of "normality" and "abnormality".
This is another awesome question for the test, because it only requires a few studies with easy-to-remember information.
I. Intro – Difficulties of classifying "normal" and "abnormal"
- Definitions vary between individuals (ex. Personality)
- Also varies in diff. societies (ex. Customs, behaviors and culture itself)
- Definitions like these can change over time (ex. The recent acceptance of homosexuality)
II. Defining Abnormal – how to approach it
- Can often be defined as the manifestation of abnormal feelings that are negative – stress, unhappiness or anxiety
- Also can be considered that which violates:
- Social Norms
- Makes others anxious or uneasy
III. Rosenhan and Seligman (1984) – VOVIUMS (acronym)– Define what isn’t normal
1. Violation of moral ideals or standards
2. Observer discomfort (making others feel embarrassed)
3. Vividness – experience things differently from most ppl
4. Irrationality – can’t communicate or be understood
5. Unpredictability
6. Mal-adaptiveness – his/her actions make life more difficult than easy
7. Suffering – distress and discomfort
IV. Jahoda (1958) – VERTSS (acronym)– Defines what is normal
1. Voluntary control of behavior
2. Efficient self-perception
3. Realistic self-esteem and acceptance
4. True perception of world
5. Sustaining relationships
6. Self-direction and productivity
V. Ethical concerns of using the medical model to define abnormal behavior
- The DSM-IV recomends shifting responsibility from the patient with a mental disorder and addressing them as a person with a disorder, not a disordered person (ex. not a schizophrenic, but a person w/ schizophrenia) – the problem with this, however, is that the psychologist must now acknowledge the person, their experience, and their environment which is no longer objective
- Tomasz Szasz – argued against the concept of “mental illness” and claims there are only problems with living/conforming to societal standards
VI. Cultural considerations of defining normality and abnormality
- Improvise here, there's tones of material you can use! (ex. Marsella (2003) - Collectivist vs. Individualist cultures, culture-blindness, culture-bound disorder, schemas, etc.)
I. Intro – Difficulties of classifying "normal" and "abnormal"
- Definitions vary between individuals (ex. Personality)
- Also varies in diff. societies (ex. Customs, behaviors and culture itself)
- Definitions like these can change over time (ex. The recent acceptance of homosexuality)
II. Defining Abnormal – how to approach it
- Can often be defined as the manifestation of abnormal feelings that are negative – stress, unhappiness or anxiety
- Also can be considered that which violates:
- Social Norms
- Makes others anxious or uneasy
III. Rosenhan and Seligman (1984) – VOVIUMS (acronym)– Define what isn’t normal
1. Violation of moral ideals or standards
2. Observer discomfort (making others feel embarrassed)
3. Vividness – experience things differently from most ppl
4. Irrationality – can’t communicate or be understood
5. Unpredictability
6. Mal-adaptiveness – his/her actions make life more difficult than easy
7. Suffering – distress and discomfort
IV. Jahoda (1958) – VERTSS (acronym)– Defines what is normal
1. Voluntary control of behavior
2. Efficient self-perception
3. Realistic self-esteem and acceptance
4. True perception of world
5. Sustaining relationships
6. Self-direction and productivity
V. Ethical concerns of using the medical model to define abnormal behavior
- The DSM-IV recomends shifting responsibility from the patient with a mental disorder and addressing them as a person with a disorder, not a disordered person (ex. not a schizophrenic, but a person w/ schizophrenia) – the problem with this, however, is that the psychologist must now acknowledge the person, their experience, and their environment which is no longer objective
- Tomasz Szasz – argued against the concept of “mental illness” and claims there are only problems with living/conforming to societal standards
VI. Cultural considerations of defining normality and abnormality
- Improvise here, there's tones of material you can use! (ex. Marsella (2003) - Collectivist vs. Individualist cultures, culture-blindness, culture-bound disorder, schemas, etc.)