Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality.
Different common interpretations of abnormality
1. Statistical normality
- assumes that there is such thing as average behavior/ behavior that most frequently occurs in particular situations
- by obtaining the mean, we know where the majority of people score around, while there would be a few people scoring the extreme
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2. Deviation from social norms
- assumes that in any situation there is an expected behavior. The expected behavior is that which the rules of society and culture dictate is appropriate for that content
- when people violate such social rules, we have a tendency to assume there is something wrong with them
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3. Maladaptiveness and adequate functioning
- assumes that all humans perform behaviors that are good for them in their particular environmental context
- behaviors that threaten one's ability to function well within the social context can be considered maladaptive
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4. Suffering and distress
- assumes that individuals engaging in abnormal behavior will have enough insight to experience distress
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5. Jahoda's positive mental health
- tried to define what is normal
- behaviors that deviates from the ideal indicates some kind of abnormality
- positive attitude towards own self
- growth, development, and self-actualization
- integration
- autonomy
- accurate perception of reality
- environmental mastery
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