Definitions of abnormality

• Statistical infrequency implies that a disorder is abnormal if its frequency is more than 2 standard deviations away from the mean incidence rates represented on a normally-distributed bell curve.
• Failure to function adequately definition of abnormality was proposed by Rosenham and Seligman (1989). -suggested that if a person's current mental state is preventing them from leading a 'normal life', alongside the associated normal levels of motivation and obedience to social norms, then such individuals may be considered as abnormal. -occurs when the patient does not obey the social and interpersonal rules (e.g. precariously standing close to others), is in distress and their behaviour has become dangerous (not limited to themselves, but may also pose danger to others)
• A weakness of failure to function adequately is that it may lead to labelling of some patients as 'strange' or 'crazy', which does little to challenge traditional negative stereotypes about mental health disorders. Not everyone with a mental health disorder requires a diagnoses, especially if they have a high quality of life and their illness has little impact on themselves or others. Some labelling coudl also lead to discrimination or prejudice faced against them by employers or acquaintances.
• Another weakness of failure to function adequately is that failing to function doesn't always indicate the presence of an abnormality. For example, someone may have lost their job due to an economic downturn, being consistently late due to childcare issues, or due to a global pandemic rather than due to any presence of a mental illness. This is a weakness because environmental factors may cause a failure to function rather than any psychological abnormality. Therefore, this questions the validity of using this definition to identify abnormality.
• A strength of failure to function adequately is that it provides an 'abnormality' checklist, making diagnosis more quantitative than qualitative. For example, the characteristics identified within the definition, like maladaptive behaviour, are observable and can be used as a framework to assess levels of 'abnormality'. This is a strength because it means that it might make it easier for someone to access help or for an observer to identify someone who needs help- resulting in more people receiving the necessary help and treatment.
• One strength of statistical infrequency is that it is always used in the clinical diagnosis of mental health disorders as a comparison with a baseline or 'normal' value. This is used to asses the severity of the disorder e.g. schizophrenia only affects 1% of the population, but subtypes are even less frequent (such a hebephrenic or paranoid schizophrenia).
• One weakness of statistical frequency is that it assumes that any abnormal characteristics are automatically negative, but this is not always true. For example, displaying abnormal levels of empathy (and thus qualifying as a compassionate person) or having an IQ score above 130 (and thus being a genius) would rarely be looked down upon as negative characteristics which require treatment.
• Another strength of statistical frequency is that it offers an objective approach to the diagnosis of abnormality. For example, the definition introduces an element of objectivity into the process of defining abnormality so that different mental health care workers can all view the same kind of behaviour in the same kind of way. This is a strength because it means that no value judgements are made, and that identification of abnormality is free from bias and not affected by the experience and/or opinions of those diagnosing it- meaning they are less prone to abuse.
• Another weakness of statistical infrequency is that not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent. For example, 10% of the population is thought to experience chronic depression at some point in their lives. This is a weakness because it suggests that some behaviours like depression, are usually considered to be abnormal, are so common that they'd be considered normal under the definition. This means that the definition may not be useful in identifying those individuals in need of a diagnosis and treatment.
• The deviation from social norms' definition of abnormality suggests that 'abnormal' behaviour is based upon straying away from the social norms specific to a certain culture. There are general norms applicable to the vast majority of cultures, as well as culture-specific norms. For example, an individual could be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (APD) if they behave aggressively towards strangers (breaching a general social norm) and if they experience certain hallucinations (other cultures might encourage this as a sign of spirituality)
• One weakness of deviation from social norms is that social norms are culturally dependent. E.g. in the UK if someone reported hearing voices it would be considered auditory hallucinations & indications of schizophrenia. However, in certain aspects of India, hearing voices would be something positive (e.g. communication from God). This is a weakness because it shows a person could be diagnosed with a mental illness while living in one culture, meaning that this definition & its criteria cannot be accurately applied to different cultures (leading to an over-diagnosis of BAME patients in the UK).
• Weakness DFSM:

  • Research by Harrison et al (1984) suggested that those of West Indian origin were over-diagnosed with schizophrenia, by white doctors in Bristol because of their ethnic background.
• Another weakness of deviations from social norms is that social norms change over time. For example, an unmarried mother in the 1940s/50s would have been breaking social norms, considered to have a mental illness and sectioned under the Mental Health Act. This is a weakness because as this example shows, it is not the individual who has changed but the classification of this behaviour by society. This brings into question the validity of using this definition alone to define abnormality.
• One strength of deviation from social norms is that it allows those to be identified and receive help. For example, typically individuals who have a mental illness are not aware that their behaviour is unusual or that they need help. This is a strength because the definition allows others to distinguish between typical and atypical behaviour and intervene in the lives of those who need it, resulting in them receiving a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
• Another strength of deviation from social norms is that it is flexible dependent on situation and age. E.g. a social norm is to wear full clothing whilst out shopping, but a bikini is acceptable on a beach
• Deviation from ideal mental health was proposed by Jahoda (1958). Instead of focusing on abnormality, Jahoda at what would comprise the ideal mental state of an individual. The criteria include being able to self-actualise (fulfil one's potential, in line with humanism) and having an accurate perception of ourselves, not being distressed, being able to maintain normal levels of motivation carrying out day-to-day tasks and displaying high self-esteem
• A weakness of deviation of ideal mental health is that the characteristics of ideal mental health are too idealistic. Evidence to support this comes from Masow (1968) who argued that only a few people ever achieve self-actualisation, and so the criteria are set too high. This is a limitation because the criteria are not adequate for depicting 'normal' behaviour and so based on this definition and its requirements, most people would be considered abnormal.
• Another weakness of deviation from ideal mental health is that it is ethnocentric (has imposed etc). For example, the characteristics of self-actualisation and the focus on personal achievements are typical of individualist cultures (e.g. western cultural ideals). In non- western collectivist cultures, there is an emphasis on behaviours and qualities that benefit the group. This is a weakness because it means that the definition is subject to cultural relativism and should only be used in the culture in which it has been developed and therefore may be biased.
• One strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that it provides a positive viewpoint from which to assess behaviour. For example, the definition emphasises positive achievements rather than failures and distress, it stresses a positive approach to mental problems by focusing on what is desirable, rather than what is undesirable. This is a strength because this positive perspective could have an impact on how patients view their own condition, which could then impact responsiveness to treatment.
• Another strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that it can be applied to all ages. For example, children will develop different skills as they grow older, such as language development and independence. Therefore, the definition takes into account these changes and focuses on whether the person is achieving their goals within their current stage of life. This is a strength because it makes the definition more applicable to everyone regardless of age