Summary
Highlights
The video introduces psychopathology, the study of psychological disorders, and outlines upcoming topics including the diagnosis of abnormality, characteristics, explanations, and treatments for phobias, depression, and OCD. The current video focuses on defining abnormality, addressing the importance of accurate diagnosis for intervention while avoiding misdiagnosis.
This definition considers behavior abnormal if it is statistically rare or infrequent. Using normal distribution curves, outliers (more than two standard deviations from the mean) are deemed abnormal. Examples include extremely high or low IQ scores. Strengths include objectivity due to clear numerical guidelines, reducing subjective interpretation. Limitations include classifying desirable behaviors (like high intelligence) as abnormal and missing common disorders like depression, which are not statistically rare.
This definition identifies abnormality based on behavior that violates societal expectations, whether explicit (laws) or implicit (unwritten rules). Examples include unusual workplace attire or inappropriate social greetings. A strength is its flexibility compared to statistical infrequency, as it adapts to societal understanding and allows for culturally accepted variations. However, a limitation is its subjectivity, as what society deems 'normal' can vary greatly, leading to less accuracy. It also suffers from cultural bias (ethnocentrism), where one culture's norms are used to judge another, potentially leading to misdiagnosis in diverse populations, as seen with Afro-Caribbean individuals and schizophrenia diagnoses in the UK.
This definition considers someone abnormal if they are unable to cope with daily life demands. Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) outlined seven criteria, including personal distress and irrationality. Examples include hoarding leading to unhygienic conditions or depression causing withdrawal from daily activities. A strength is its consideration of individual subjective experiences and emotions. However, a limitation is that some abnormal behaviors, such as certain criminal actions, do not impede daily functioning or cause distress to the individual, meaning these would go undiagnosed under this definition.
This approach defines abnormality by identifying characteristics of 'normal' mental health, and then classifying those lacking these as abnormal. Marie Jahoda (1958) proposed six criteria, remembered by 'SPEAR': accurate perception of reality, self-actualization, positive attitude to oneself, environmental mastery, autonomy, and resisting stress. An example is a student hearing threatening voices and unable to meet deadlines. A limitation is the unrealistically high standard, as few individuals consistently meet all criteria. Another limitation is ethnocentrism, as these criteria are based on Western, individualistic cultures, which may not apply to collectivist cultures emphasizing group identity over individual achievement.
The video concludes by summarizing the strengths and limitations of each definition of abnormality. It encourages viewers to share their own examples in the comments and provides links to mental health resources and support services in the description. The speaker also promotes the next video in the series, which will cover the signs and symptoms of phobias, depression, and OCD.