Definitions of abnormality

• Failure to function adequately:

  • observer discomfort
  • violation of moral standards
  • unconventionality
  • irrational
  • unpredictability
  • maladaptive behaviour
  • personal distress
• Rosenhein and Seligman proposed the idea of failure to function adequately
• Positive of failure to function adequately: observable on a scale
• Negative of failure to function adequately:

  • subjective
  • cultural bias
• Deviation from social norms:

  Anyone who goes against social norms is called a social deviant
• Positive of deviation from social norms:

  • clear definition
  • developmental norms are considered
• Negative of deviation from social norms:

  • norms vary across cultures (cultural bias)
  • norms are subjective
• Deviation from ideal mental health:

  • accurate perception of reality
  • resisting stress
  • self—actualisation
  • environmental mastery
  • positive attitude towards oneself
  • autonomy
• Statistical infrequency: behaviours that are rare are abnormal, (5% of out of the population, 2 s. d. points)
• Positive of statistical infrequency:

  • objective
  • can be more appropriate
• Negative of statistical infrequency:

  • some abnormal behaviours are desirable, eg high IQ