Definitions of Abnormality

• Identify the 4 definitions of abnormality.

  • Deviation from social norms.
  • Failure to function adequately.
  • Statistical infrequency.
  • Deviation from ideal mental health.
• Outline deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality.

  1. An individual is considered abnormal if their behaviour goes against our social norms i.e. society’s standards of acceptable behaviour. 
  2. These norms can be explicit i.e. clearly stated (e.g. do not murder) or implicit i.e. not clearly stated but expected (e.g. not laughing at a funeral).
  3. E.g. people with OCD who show compulsive behaviours such as switching a light switch on and off would be considered abnormal as the social norm is to only switch it on/off once.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from social norms definition related to subjectivity?

  🔴 It is subjective as norms vary by age, culture, and context. Misinterpretations can lead to incorrect diagnoses, e.g. Afro-Caribbean beliefs being mistaken for schizophrenia. Social norms also change over time, questioning appropriateness.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from social norms definition related to diagnosing disorders?

  🔴 Some norm-breaking behaviours, like theft, don’t indicate mental disorders. This questions the definition’s usefulness in diagnosis.
• Outline failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality.

  1. An individual is considered abnormal if they experience distress which leads to an inability to cope with everyday life.
  2. This means they struggle to carry out basic everyday activities such as getting out of bed and so their behaviour is considered maladaptive (disruptive to everyday life) and can make others feel uncomfortable.
  3. E.g. people with depression would be considered abnormal as they experience a low mood that causes difficulty in completing routine tasks such as getting out of bed and holding down a job.
• What is a strength of the failure to function adequately definition related to objectivity?

  🟢 The GAF scale provides a numerical rating of functioning, reducing subjectivity and helping assess disorder severity.
• Why might the failure to function adequately definition still be subjective?

  🔴 Clinicians must subjectively rate functioning, and considering how a person’s behaviour affects others introduces bias, questioning objectivity.
• Why might the failure to function adequately definition be ineffective for diagnosing disorders?

  🔴 Some may struggle to function due to life events, not mental illness, while others with disorders (e.g. high-functioning depression, psychopathy) may function well, questioning appropriateness.
• Outline statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality.

  1. An individual is considered abnormal if their behaviour is statistically uncommon/rare.
  2. If their behaviour falls 2 or more standard deviations away from the mean average on a normal distribution curve, they are considered abnormal.
  3. E.g. many disorders such as schizophrenia and OCD are rare (only affect approximately 1% of the population) so would be considered abnormal.
• What is a strength of the statistical infrequency definition related to objectivity?

  🟢 It provides a clear mathematical cut-off, reducing subjective opinions on what is considered abnormal.
• Why might the statistical infrequency definition still be subjective?

  🔴 The cut-off point for abnormality (e.g. IQ 69 vs. 71) is arbitrary, making it unclear when a behaviour is rare enough to be abnormal.
• Why might the statistical infrequency definition be ineffective for diagnosing disorders?

  🔴 It ignores rare but desirable traits (e.g. high IQ) and does not classify common disorders like depression as abnormal, questioning its usefulness.
• Outline deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality.

  An individual is abnormal if they fail to meet Jahoda’s criteria for psychological health. The more criteria they fail, the more abnormal they are. These include high self-esteem, self-actualisation, stress resistance, accurate perception of reality, and the ability to master their environment (e.g. work, relationships). E.g. Someone with depression is abnormal as they lack high self-esteem and have an inaccurate perception of reality.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from ideal mental health definition in terms of subjectivity?

  🔴 Some criteria, like self-actualisation, are difficult to measure as we can't determine an individual's full potential. This means the definition lacks objectivity, questioning its appropriateness.
• What is a limitation of the deviation from ideal mental health definition in terms of practicality?

  🔴 It sets unrealistic standards for mental health, as few people meet all of Jahoda’s criteria, e.g. self-actualisation. This means most people would be classified as abnormal, reducing its usefulness in diagnosing psychological disorders.