Abnormality

• What are the 4 definitions of abnormality

  • Statistical infrequency
  • Deviation from social norms
  • Failure to function adequately
  • Deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical infrequency

  Via statistical definition, any relatively usual behaviour /characteristic can be defined as normal and any behaviour that is unusual is abnormal i.e. Intellectual disability disorder & IQ scores
• Deviation from social norms

  When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave i.e. Homosexuality, antisocial personality disorder, crime
• Failure to function adequately

  When a person cannot cope with the demands of everyday life/ no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules i.e. Can’t maintain basic standards of hygiene or relationships
• Deviation from ideal mental health

  Ideal mental health is what makes anyone normal and provides a checklist which we can assess ourselves and others i.e. When people have no symptoms of distress

  (Regular people need a bit of stress as an incentive)
• Application of abnormality

  • Statistical Infrequency - clinical practice, IDD, BDI
  • Deviation from Social Norms - clinical practice, AsPD, schizotypal personality disorder