Individual Differences If sanity and insanity exist how

Individual Differences “If sanity and insanity exist how shall we know them? ” - Rosenhan

Bellringer “Normal or not? ” Case study. On the back, answer the following questions: • Is the behavior of this man normal? Why or why not? • What should happen to this man as a result of his behavior?

Abnormal Behavior a pattern of behavior that is dangerous, deviant, distressful and dysfunctional CREATE your own example – two for normal behavior and two examples of abnormal behavior.

Abnormal or Not? Wearing lip plates like the Mursi and Surma women.

Abnormal or Not? The wearing of tight corsets which compresses the waist pushing the stomach upwards into the chest and crushing the heart and lungs.

Abnormal or Not? Cosmetic surgery

Abnormal or Not? Hearing voices in your head

Abnormal or Not? Having multiple personalities

Abnormal or Not? Having a gambling addiction

Assumptions of Individual Differences • Assumes that to understand the complexity of human behaviour and experiences it is necessary to study the differences between people rather than those things that we all have in common. (For example the individual differences approach largely focuses on things such as personality differences and abnormality. ) • Focuses on the unique characteristics of the individual as causes of behaviour rather than environmental or social causes. • Aims to make generalisations about differences between people • Assumes that some behaviours are normal and other behaviours are abnormal

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Individual Differences Approach STRENGTHS A main strength of the individual differences perspective is that it can prove useful in improving the experiences of people with mental health problems. Finds explanations for why people are different and reduces prejudice and discrimination The development and use of psychometric tests to easily measure the differences between individuals in qualities such as personality and intelligence. WEAKNESSES Susceptible to ethical problems such as exploitation of vulnerable participants The individual differences approach has a tendency to ignore external factors such as the situation a person is in. Ethical issues raised with labelling people as being different. The tendency to label people as being different, abnormal and so on can have a negative effect on individuals.

Timed Writing Practice Section C Question Outline one assumption of the individual differences approach [2] Evaluate the individual differences approach in practical and ethical terms. [4]

Homework Rosenhan RG