Psychological Definitions of Abnormal Behavior Essay

According to the science of psychology mavens way inevitably to follow a certain criteria in localise to be deemed modal(prenominal). If ones manner does not friction match the criteria, their carriage is mindn as undesirable and wrongly (requires change). For this physiologists need to be able to think a souls behavior and be able to tell the divergency between normal and subnormal. Whilst defining the normality of ones behavior physiologists need to be wakeful to remain objective and as forgive of each bias as possible, moreover their experiment to train ones behavior of necessity to be repeatable and true(p). In pose to do this psychologists often consults the characteristics of ideal genial wellness proposed by Marie Jahoda in 1958. Marie Jahoda proposed 6 different characteristics for ideal mental health after surveying different doctors and psychologists this is the attend she came up with* Positive self wonder and a strong sense of identity* Personal growth and development* skill to cope with stressful situations (integration)* Autonomy and liberty* Accurate perception of reality* favored mastery of the environment, particularly relationships.Jahoda argued that if one does not pull together these criteria then ones behavior chamberpot be deemed abnormal as a result of an existing problem. This in my thought provides a strong applicable seat for the determination of ones normality of behavior. However the problem with Jahodas ideal mental health synopsis is the feature that the results obtained rely solo on the observers judgment, then kick ining a inevitable bias not to mention the fact that no person chiffonier truly ever meet all of the suggested criteria. This mean that according to Jahoda any person is abnormal.Another way to construction for abnormal behavior for psychologists is to find difference form the social norm (majority). This is make by observing ones actions in existence and seeing how normal i t is. For example if you see someone wearing a two-piece suit/swim trunks whilst walking about a supermarket, his or her behavior would be deemed as abnormal. The limitations of observing behavior in this manor lay in the fact that different cultures surrender different norms. non to mention the fact that in any given culture norms evolve. What may have once been delicious in the 80s is not necessarily acceptable today. antidromicity of ones behavior can also be monitored by looking at its statistical frequency. content how common ones behavior is when compared to the rest of the public. If ones behavior is shared by many it is deemed common and therefore normal, however if ones behavior is uncommon or rare, it is deemed abnormal. For example one may state that an individual who has an IQ below or above the average level of IQ in society is abnormal. The problem with this system of rules is the fact that, it does not account for the pizzazz of the given behavior. In other actors line this system claims that both low and senior high school IQs are an abnormality that need to be treated.Physiologists and others interested in normality, look over at ones behavior to see how well they can function. If one is unable to function adequately they are deemed abnormal. In order to determine how well one functions, psychologists consult Rosenhan and Seligmans list of characteristics that define abnormality (1989). Rosenhan and Seligman argued that in order to classify someone as inadequate in life they mustiness meet several of the characteristics as a pose to only one. This is their list* ache* Maladaptiveness (danger to self)* Vividness & unconventionality (stands out)* Unpredictably & loss of check off* Irrationality/incomprehensibility* Causes observer discomfort* Violates clean-living/social standardsThe possible limitation to Rosenhan and Seligmans list of characteristics is the fact that normal mountain engage in activates which are potentially har mful like drinking or smoking, these people are not classed as abnormal. It is very difficult to classify behavior as to date no scheme to do so exists, which is perfect. Physiologists must ill-use carefully when labeling one with a disorder. prepossession will always be present in one form or another, however the results can be deemed reliable if practicing psychologists consult multiple schemes in order to have a better run into of an accurate diagnosis.Bibliography* Class handout abnormal? Mrs campion.* DefiningAbnormality. AS Psychology /. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. . * Abnormal Psychology. Abnormal Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. .