Definitions of abnormality

• 1. Statistic Infrequency- those behaviours that are extremely rare & found in very few people. Modelled by the normal distribution , where most 'normal' & 'common' behaviours cluster around the middle. The abnormal behaviours are those at either end that are not the 'average'.
• Statistical Infrequency Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Some of these 'abnormal' traits/ behaviours are actually desirable, eg very few people have IQ over 150, a high IQ is rare but desirable.
  • Some 'normal' behaviours are undesirable- feeling low is common but undesirable.
  • Therefore, this definition is unable to distinguish between desirable (not a problem) and desirable (problem).
• Statistical Infrequency Evaluation- Strength:

  • It's a useful part of clinical assessment; it provides an objective, measurable tool, free from bias.
  • Therefore, helps with the diagnosis of certain disorders.
• Statistical Infrequency Evaluation- Weakness:

  • There's no clear cut off point- so cannot decide where to separate normality from abnormality.
  • How far should someone be away from 'average' to be a problem?
  • Eg, someone's definition of 'lack of sleep' may be very different to another's. Still open to some interpretation & therefore bias.
• 2. Deviation from social norms- society has accepted standards of behaviour, whether it is law or just unwritten expectations, eg queue in a shop, manners etc. Deviation from social norms is behaving in a way that does not fit society's standards or expectations. You are 'abnormal' if you violate the rules on how we ought to behave, eg OCD.
• Deviation from social norms Evaluation- Strength:

  • Clear & flexible definition, eg familiarity with your culture means you have a good idea of what's acceptable & what's not. Flexible in terms of age & context, eg wear a bikini to the beach but not the office.
  • Context & cultural norms can be taken into account. Therefore, it is a useful definition in lots of contexts.
• Deviation from social norms Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Social norms do vary over time, eg homosexuality was illegal until 1967 & was included as a psychiatric disorder until 1973.
  • Therefore, it can't provide a stable & reliable definition of abnormality.
• Deviation from social norms Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Cultural relativism.
  • Standards/ laws/ expectations vary with culture.
• 3. Failure to Function Adequately- Rosenhan & Seligman suggest abnormality should be classed as not being able to function within acceptable limits to where behaviours interfere with daily functioning.
• 3. Failure to Function Adequately- measured using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, eg getting up, washing, having breakfast etc. They may show: personal suffering, unpredictability & loss of control, irrationality/ incomprehensibility, causes observer discomfort. Eg, depression- apathy (lack of emotions) and inertia (lack of movement).
• Failure to Function Adequately Evaluation- Strength:

  • Is measurable using the GAF. We can be objective as behaviour is observable, eg having a job, calories consumed.
  • The GAF is a scale that objectively measures functioning, therefore less open to bias.
• Failure to Function Adequately Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Not all disorders impact functioning, eg phobias, depression.
  • Therefore, 'hidden' internal suffering can be missed.
• 4. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health- defines abnormality based on not having an ideal positive mental health- mentally, we should be the best we can be.
• 4. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health- Jahoda listed the first characteristics:

  • Integration/ resistance to stress
  • Self- actualisation, growth, development
  • High self-esteem/ positive attitude towards self & a strong sense of identity
  • Autonomy/ environmental mastery
  • Inaccurate perception of reality (eg, schizophrenics often have paranoid thoughts & hallucinations- not accurate perception of reality).
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Evaluation- Strength:

  • Positive approach, focuses on desirable & helpful rather than the negative- therefore gives goals for good mental health.
  • Gives a positive approach to mental health.
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Suffers with culture bias.
  • Criteria has Western ideals- autonomy, self- actualisation.
  • Therefore, doesn't work for all cultures.
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Difficult to meet all criteria.
  • High self-esteem, positive attitude, resist stress, is difficult to maintain all the time.
  • Most won't meet criteria.