Definitions of Abnormality

• Statistical Infrequency means that something falls outside the typical range. The traits are numerically rare or uncommon. These are traits that are numerically rare or uncommon.
• An example of statistical infrequency is the distribution curve for IQ. Anyone who does not fall between the IQ of 70-130 is abnormal.
• `Limitations of statistical infrequency:

  • The cut off points are rather arbitrary. (How can someone with an IQ of 70 be considered normal while one with an IQ of 69 is abnormal)
  • It ignores desirability of behaviour (people are more likely to want a higher IQ.
  • Some disorders are statistically frequent, such as depression, but still considered abnormal.
  • Cultural and historical relativism, what is normal in one period/place may be considered abnormal in another.
• An example of deviating from social norms is homosexuality. Many thought that homosexuals had a mental illness. A modern example of deviating from social norms is antisocial personality disorder.
• Limitations of Deviation from Social Norms:

  • Cultural / historic relativism: homosexuality was and is still considered as deviating from social norms in some cultures.
  • Some people can deviate from asocial norms and not have any mental disorders: example of this is goths, who are a group who dress to strand out but are not necessarily abnormal for this.
• Strengths of Deviation from Social Norms:

  • It may be easier for someone to spot abnormality in you than you in yourself. For example, some mental disorders would make you believe that the behaviour you are displaying is normal, while it actually goes against societal norms.
• Failure to function adequately can be judged through an inability to cope with everyday living.
• As a definition, failure to function adequately must cause suffering to either the individual or those around them for them to be classed as abnormal.
• Rosenhan and Seligman proposed some signs that can be used to determine when someone is not coping in 1989.
• Rosenhan and Seligman:


  • When someone no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules (e.g. eye contact)
  • When a person’s experiences severe personal distress
  • When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational and dangerous
  • When a person‘s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others.
• Rosenhan and Seligman 7 criteria:

  • Unpredictability
  • Maladaptive behaviour
  • Personal distress
  • Irrationality
  • Observer discomfort
  • Violation of moral standards
  • unconventionality
• Strengths of failure to function adequately:

  • Recognises the subjective experience of the individual
  • Easy to judge objectively due to the list of behaviours
• Limitations of failing to function adequately:

  • Subjective judgement
  • Hard to tell the difference between deviating from social norms
  • Cultural relativism (e.g. Zar in Middle Eastern countries)
  • Some people may appear to function normally despite suffering
• Deviation from ideal mental health attempts to define abnormality in the same way as physical health. If you are lacking the signs of a positive mental state then you are abnormal.
• Jahoda’s 6 elements of optimal living:

  • Self attitudes
  • Personal growth and self actualisation
  • Integration
  • Autonomy
  • Accurate perception of reality
  • Mastery of the environment
• Strengths of deviation from ideal mental health:

  • It is a positive approach to psychology - in line with the positive psychology movement
• Limitations of deviation from mental health:

  • Unrealistic criteria
  • Suggests that mental health is the same as physical health
  • Cultural relativism