Definitions of abnormality

• Deviation from social norms is a way of defining abnormality, when behaviours go against the behaviours or beliefs shared by a society
• Faliure to function adequately is a way to define abnormality, when someone cannot cope with the tasks of daily living
• Statistical infrequency is a way of defining abnormal behaviour, when someone's behaviour is uncommon in the general population
• Ideal mental health is a way of defining abnormality, and includes:

  Healthy self attitudes

  Personal growth

  Able to cope with stress

  Independence

  Accurate perception of reality

  Able to have relationships/enjoy leisue
• Jahoda created the ideal mental health criteria
• One weakness of statistical infrequency is that some rare traits are desirable [high IQ]
• A weakness of statistical infrequency is that some disorders are not statistically rare [depression]
• A weakness of deviation from social norms is that social norms change over time, e.g. views on homosexuality
• One weakness of faliure to function is that some maladaptive behaviours are not a sign of abnormality [smoking]
• A strength of faliure to function is that it recognises the patients perspective and how it affects their daily life .
• One Weakness of ideal mental health is that it is difficult to achieve all 6 criteria. Most people would be judged as abnormal.
• One strength of deviation from ideal mental health is its positive and holistic approach to diagnosis