Definitions of Abnormality

• Statistical Infrequency - abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are extremely rare
• Statistical infrequency evaluation:

  • ❌ Cultural relativism - behaviours that are statistically frequent in one culture may be statistically infrequent in another
  • ❌ Cut off point is subjective - difficult to define
  • ❌ Some abnormal behaviours are desirable - ( IQ over 150, depression is 'normal' but undesirable ) - unable to distinguish between
• Statistical Infrequency evaluation:

  • ❌ Cultural relativism
  • ❌ Cut off point is subjective
  • ❌ Some abnormal behaviours are desirable
• Deviation from social norms - abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules on how one should behave
• Deviation from social norms evaluation:

  • ✅ Distinguishes between desirable & undesirable behaviour
  • ✅ Takes into account the effect that behaviour has on others
  • ❌ Judgements are related to context & degree - ( e.g. wearing a swimming costume ) - incomplete definition
  • ❌ Changes over time - ( e.g. homosexuality )
  • ❌ Cultural Relativism - DSM is based on Western white middle class
• Failure to function adequately - people are judged on their ability to go about daily life
• Failure to function adequately AO3 :

  • ✅ Subjective experience recognised - views mental disorders from the point of view of the person experiencing
  • ❌ Who judges ? - others may find them abnormal whilst they are unaware they're not coping - judgement depends who's making the decision
  • ❌ Behaviour may be functional - some mental disorders lead to extra attention which is rewarding & functional
• Deviation from ideal mental health - abnormality is defined in terms of mental health , behaviours that are associated with competence & happiness ( e.g. resistance to stress , positive attitudes towards the self , self actualisation of one's potential )
• Deviation from ideal mental health AO3:

  • ✅ Positive approach - focuses on the ' ideal '
  • ❌ Unrealistic criteria - hard to measure, unclear how many we'd need to be lacking to be abnormal
  • ❌ Equates mental & physical health - mental illnesses can't be as easily diagnosed