Definitions of Abnormality

• What is a social norm?


  An unwritten rule of society
• How is abnormality defined in terms of deviation from social norms?


  Anyone who does not conform to social norms is considered abnormal
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?


  Strengths:

  • Considers context-specific behavior

  Weaknesses:

  • Era-dependent due to changing social norms
  • Social deviancy isn't always negative
  • Cultural bias may label individuals as abnormal
  • Eccentric behavior may not indicate mental illness
• What does failure to function adequately refer to?


  Inability to cope with everyday living
• What are some criteria used to judge failure to function adequately?


  Basic standards of nutrition, distress caused, irrational behavior, and social or occupational goals
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?


  Strengths:

  • Provides a practical checklist (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale)

  Weaknesses:

  • Some individuals may function normally despite dysfunction
  • Individual differences are not considered
  • Cultural bias may affect perceptions of normal functioning
• How is statistical infrequency defined in terms of abnormality?


  Behaviors that are found in less than 2% of people are regarded as abnormal
• What is a key advantage of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?


  It provides an objective quantitative cut-off point
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?


  Strengths:

  • Objective cut-off point reduces subjectivity

  Weaknesses:

  • Difficulty in drawing the line between normality and abnormality
  • Not all rare behaviors are undesirable
  • Cultural bias may affect perceptions of rarity
  • Not all mental health disorders are statistically rare
• What did Jahoda argue regarding mental ill-health?


  Mental ill-health should be judged by an absence of signs of mental well-being
• What are the six characteristics of ideal mental health according to Jahoda?


  Positive attitude, self-actualization, autonomy, resisting stress, accurate perception of reality, environmental mastery
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?


  Strengths:

  • Focuses on desirable traits and goals

  Weaknesses:

  • Criteria can be vague and subjective
  • Over-demanding criteria may classify most people as abnormal
  • Cultural bias may misapply Western ideals to other cultures