Definitions of Abnormality

• What is Statistical Infrequency?

  Behaviour is classified as abnormal if its rare of statistically unusual.
• Example of statistical infrequency:

  Average IQ score is 100. 70% score between 85-115only 2% are lower than 70. Likely to be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder
• Strength of Statistical Infrequency:

  • Real World Application
  • Useful for diagnosis and assessment E.g. BDI for depression
• Limitation of Statistical Infrequency:

  • Unusual Characteristics can be positive
  • Some unusual characteristics would not be judged as being abnormal e.g. Having a high IQ
• Limitation of Statistical Infrequency:

  • Benefits Vs Problems
  • Some people with low IQ function adequately and don't benefit from being labelled
• What is Deviation from Social Norms?

  Behaviour is classified as abnormal is their behaviour differs from how society expects them to behave
• Strength of Deviation from Social Norms:

  • Real World Application
  • Used to diagnose disorders such as antisocial and schizotypal personality disorders
• Strength of Deviation from Social Norms:

  • Improves on Statistical Infrequency
  • Recognises that unusual behaviours are not necessarily abnormal as long as they are desirable
• Limitation of Deviation from Social Norms:

  • Social Norms change over time
  • E.g. Homosexuality used to be treated as a mental illness.
• Limitation of Deviation from Social Norms:

  • Social Norms change across cultures
  • People may be labelled as abnormal due to cultural differences
• What is Failure to Function Adequately?

  Behaviour is classified as abnormal if the person is unable to cope with demands of everyday life and life independently in society, causing distress to themselves or others
• Strength of Failure to Function Adequately:

  • Takes into account the patients POV
  • Considers abnormality from the POV of the person experiencing it.
• Limitation of Failure to Function Adequately:

  • Subjectivity of the definition
  • The definition of functioning adequately can be subjective and may depend on social norms.
• Limitation of Failure to Function Adequately:

  • Some abnormal people may feel like they are functioning fine
  • E.g. Schizophrenics may not realise that their hallucinations are real.
• Limitation of Failure to Function Adequately:

  • Discrimination and Social Control
  • May lead to people living non standard lifestyles being judged as abnormal
• Limitation of Failure to Function Adequately:

  • Failure to function may not be abnormal
  • Most of us experience such failure e.g. bereavement, but still require help
• What is Deviation from Ideal Mental Health?

  • Proposed by Marie Jahoda (1958).
  • A set of criteria that describes good mental health, a person is considered abnormal if they deviate from the criteria
• Examples of "ideal mental health"

  1. high level of self esteem
  2. positive view of the self
  3. ability to act independently
  4. personal growth and development
  5. accurate perception of reality
  6. ability to deal with stressful situations
• Strengths of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  • Focuses on explaining how we should be, instead of how we shouldn't be
  • More positive definition as it gives a goal to work to
• Limitation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  • Sets an unrealistic standard
  • Very few people meet the criteria, so almost everyone is abnormal according to this definition
• Limitation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  • Culturally Biased
  • E.g. The focus on autonomy and personal growth may not be relevant in cultures focused on family/community