Definitions of Abnormality

• What are the definitions of abnormality?

  • Statistical Infrequency
  • Deviation from Social Norms
  • Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
  • Failure to Function Adequately
• Outline what is meant by statistical infrequency

  • statistically infrequent behaviour is considered abnormal
  • measured by normal distribution curve (2+ $\sigma$ = abnormal)
• What are the strengths of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

  • works well for quantitative behaviours (e.g. IQ)
  • objective --> relies on unbiased data
• What are the limitations of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?

  • cannot distinguish desirable from undesirable behaviour (e.g. high IQ would be considered abnormal but ideal)
  • not everyone 'abnormal' benefits from a label (e.g. people with low IQ can cope perfectly well in society and don't need to be labelled)

  --> labelling can lead to self esteem issues

  • cultural relativism - behaviours that are statistically infrequent in one culture may be more frequent in another culture (e.g. hearing voices - Schizophrenia or being spoken to by god?)
• Outline what is meant by cultural relativism?

  behaviour cannot be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates (i.e. what is normal in society may be abnormal in another)
• Outline what is meant by deviation from social norms?

  • behaviour that goes against the unwritten rules of society is considered abnormal
  • can change depending on: age, time, desirability & culture (e.g. temper tantrum at 2 = normal, whereas at 16 = abnormal)
• What are the strengths of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?

  • utilitarian approach - this definition causes the greatest good for the greatest number (mostly for the better of society)
  • does take into account desirability (but only for majority)
  • helps people - gives society the right to intervene in 'abnormal people's lives so they can get help
• What are the limitations of the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality?

  • subjective - social norms aren't real/ based on opinions
  • social deviancy not necessarily a bad thing (e.g. rosa parks)
  • cultural relativism - social norms vary from culture to culture so you can't really judge people from other cultures with this definition
• Outline what is meant by deviation from ideal mental health

  • abnormality is the lack of characteristics of good mental health
  • Jahoda's characteristics (1958): SPEARS
• What are Jahoda's characteristics (1958) of ideal mental health?

  S - self esteem (positive view of self)

  P - personal autonomy (lack of dependence on others)

  E - environmental mastery (ability to adapt to changing environments)

  A - accurate perception of reality (able to discern self from other)

  R - resistance to stress (can cope with stress)

  S - self actualisation (can individual reach their full potential)
• What are the strengths of the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

  • allows practitioners to create personal targets for patients to work towards specific characteristics (e.g. CBT)
  • positivity - stresses a positive approach to mental health problems by emphasising achievments
• What are the limitations of the deviation from ideal mental health definition of abnormality?

  • unrealistically high standard - most people cannot exhibit these characteristics all of the time, do you even need to?
  • vague & subjective - how does someone know if they have achieved self-actualisation (relies on self report)
  • cultural relativism - culture bound to individualist cultures who put themselves before others (may seem selfish to collectivist cultures)
• Outline what is meant by failure to function adequately

  • abnormality involves an inability to cope with the demands of everyday living
  • Measured using the GAF scale (global assessment functioning scale)
  • Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) signs of failure to cope
• What are Rosenhan & Seligman's (1989) signs of failure to cope?

  1. Personal distress (e.g. depression/anxiety)
  2. Maladaptive behaviour - preventing individual from realising life goals
  3. Unpredictability - unexpected behaviours (loss of control)
  4. Irrationality - nonsensical behaviour
  5. Observer discomfort - causes others to feel uncomfortable
  6. Violation of moral standards - deviation from social norms
  7. Unconventionality - non-standard behaviours (statistical infrequency)
• What are the strengths of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

  • GAF scale allows practitioners to think in degrees of abnormality - fewer signs displayed = more normal
  • scale allows for more objectivity
• What are the limitations of the failure to function adequately definition of abnormality?

  • context is required when deciding whether someone if functioning adequately (e.g. not eating during a hunger strike for political reasons vs not eating due to an eating disorder)
  • abnormality isn't always accompanied by any visible dysfunction
  • cultural relativism - dysfunctional behaviour is related to cultural ideas about how one's life may be lived --> diff in each culture