definitions of abnormality

• Definitions of abnormality:

  • statistical infrequency
  • Deviation from social norms
  • Failure to function adequately
  • deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical infrequency:

  • Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic, for example being more depressed or less intelligent than most of the population.
  • IQ- Peoples IQ scores will cluster around an average and the further you go above/below that the fewer people obtain that score. The average IQ is 100 and only 2% have a score below 70, these people are classified as 'abnormal' and are liable to receive a psychological diagnosis.
• Deviation from social norms:

  • concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards 'norm' of behaviour in a community or society.
  • Norms are specific to a culture and generation so it is hard to find behaviours which are universally normal. For example homosexuality would've been abnormal in the past and still is and even illegal in some countries.
• Failure to function adequately:

  • Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of everyday life
  • This includes basic levels of hygiene and nutrition, not being able to hold down a job and maintain relationships.
  • To determine when someone is not coping there are additional signs including; no longer conforming to interpersonal rules such as eye-contact, when a person experiences severe personal distress, when a persons behaviour becomes irrational and dangerous.
• Deviation form ideal mental health:

  Occurs when we do not meet a set of criteria for good mental health.

  Jahoda suggests we meet good mental health if we meet the following criteria:

  • We have no symptoms or distress
  • We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
  • we self-actualise
  • we have a realistic view of the world
  • we can cope with stress
• A03 Statistical infrequency:

  • Real world application: used in clinical practice to assess the severity of a patients symptoms. This is used in Beck's depression inventory. A score of 30+ (top 5%) is interpreted as indicating severe depression, thus treatments can be administered to those who need it most. Practical value for diagnosis
  • Unusual characteristics can be positive: For people with very high IQ (130+) this is equally 'abnormal' but we don't view this negatively, showing being at one end of a spectrum shouldn't make you abnormal. Limited explanation
• A03: Deviation from social norms

  • Real world application: used in clinical practice to define characteristics of antisocial personality disorder, failing to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour; i.e recklessness, aggression. These all deviate from what is normally accepted. Practical value
  • Variability between cultures: experiencing hearing voices would be seen as abnormal in the UK, however would be normal and celebrated in others as could be linked to religious gifts etc. Difficult to judge what is and what isn't normal so is a limited explanation.
• A03: Failure to function adequately

  • Represents a threshold for help: Most people have mental health symptoms because 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year. However severe symptoms can be identified and people are able to seek professional help and be referred. Treatments can be targeted'.
  • Discrimination: This definition makes it easy to label non-standard life-styles as abnormal. For example some people not having a permanent job or address is seemingly failing to function, however this could just be their chosen life e.g living off-grid.
• A03: Deviation from ideal mental health

  • A comprehensive definition: Jahoda's criteria covers a range of symptoms of a mental disorder. This means an individuals mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals views. This means a checklist is provided in which psychologists can check across.
  • May be culture bound: Some elements of the criteria are not equally applicable across a range of cultures. For example personal independence would be important in western societies and less so in collectivist cultures. Interpretation of success in work and social lives varies.