Explanations for abnormality

• There are four main definitions of abnormality:

  • Deviation from social norms

  • Statistical infrequency

  • Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH)

  • Failure to function adequately (FFA)
• Deviation from social norms - a person’s thinking or behaviour is classed as abnormal if it violates the rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group
• Social norms are the unwritten rules of behaviour that are considered acceptable in a group or society
• With deviation from social norms, it's important to consider:

  • The degree of severity to which a norm is violated
  • The culture in which we live
  • Context
• Point- One limitation of the deviation from social norms definition is that it could lead to human rights abuses.

  Explain/Example - History has shown us how diagnosis of abnormality was previously used for social control over minority ethnic groups and women

  Link back - Such classifications appear ridiculous, but some psychologists argue that some modern abnormal classifications are abuses of people’s rights to be different/unique
• Point - One strength of the deviation from social norms definition is that it can be used to diagnose antisocial personality disorder.

  Evidence - A psychopath is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. Therefore we are making the social judgement that a psychopath is abnormal because they don’t conform to our moral standards

  Link back - This shows that this definition is a useful way of assessing abnormality, as it is used as a tool for diagnosing APD (real-life application
• Statistical infrequency - any behaviour that is rare or statistically unusual is classified as abnormal
• How do we decide what is rare and what is not?

  Statistical infrequency looks at the number of people in a population with a particular trait or behaviour. Looking at the distribution of a trait/behaviour can tell us how frequent or common it is.
• Point - One limitation is that statistical infrequency does not consider the desirability of behaviours (positive or negative)

  Explain/Example - For example, if very few people display a behaviour or trait, that makes the behaviour/trait statistically abnormal but doesn’t mean the person requires treatment.

  Link Back - This means that the statistical infrequency definition should never be used alone to make a diagnosis
• Point - One limitation of statistical infrequency is that not everyone who displays unusual traits or behaviours benefits from a label

  Explain/ Example - For example, when someone is living a happy fulfilled life, there is no benefit to them being labelled as abnormal.

  Link Back - This is a limitation as being labelled as abnormal might have a negative effect on the way others view them and the way they see themselves (self-esteem)
• Point - One strength of statistical infrequency is its real-life application

  Explain/Example - All assessments of patients with mental disorders included some comparison to statistical norms. For example, if someone has an IQ of less than 70, they will be diagnosed with IDD

  Link Back - This is a strength of statistical infrequency because it shows it plays a useful part of clinical assessment
• Deviation from ideal mental health defines what is normal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal
• Deviation from ideal mental health Criteria as suggested by Jahoda:

  • A positive view of ourselves and good self-esteem
  • Ability to be rational and see yourself accurately
  • Ability to self-actualise
  • Good coping mechanisms for stress
  • Independence
  • Positive relationships with other people
  • The ability to meet the demands of everyday life
  • Environmental mastery
• Point- One limitation of deviation from ideal mental health is that it is culturally relative.

  Explain/Example - For example, some of Jahoda’s criteria only applies in some cultures, whilst other cultures would see them as abnormal. Some collectivist cultures would consider self-actualisation as being self-indulgent, and not all cultures would see independence from other people as a good characteristic.

  Link Back - This is a weakness because it means the definition lacks generalisability and cannot be used globally to diagnose abnormality.
• Point- A strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that it's very comprehensive.

  Example/Example - It covers a broad range of criteria for mental health. It probably covers most of the reasons someone would seek help for mental health.

  Link Back - This is a strength because the sheer range of factors discussed about Jahoda's ideal mental health makes it a good tool for thinking about mental health
• Point - One limitation of this definition (DIMH) is that it sets unrealistically high standards for mental health.

  Example/ Explain - For example, very few of us attain all of Jahoda’s criteria for mental health, and probably none of us achieve all of them at the same time or maintain this for very long, so, this definition would see all of us as abnormal.

  Link Back - This is a weakness because it means the concept becomes meaningless, and therefore is not useful when attempting to diagnose mental illness
• Failure to function adequately (FFA), a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and are unable to perform behaviours necessary for day-to-day living
• criteria for failing to function:

  • Suffering and personal distress

  • Irrational beliefs

  • Maladaptive, impulsive and dangerous behaviours

  • Inability to keep basic standards of hygiene and nutrition

  • Unable to conform to social norms

  • Inability to cope with new situations, cope at work, or maintain personal relationships

  • Causes other people discomfort due to their lifestyle
• Point - A strength of failure of function adequately is it recognises patient's perspective.

  Example/ Explain - It may not be an entirely satisfactory approach as it's difficult to assess distress but this definition acknowledges that the patients' experience is important.

  Link Back - This is a strength because it captures the experience of many people who need help and is useful for assessing abnormality.
• Point - A limitation of failure to function adequately is that it is subjective.

  Example/ Explain - This definition may be biased by who judges ‘failure to function adequately’, as in the opinion of the individual they may believe that they are functioning adequately, even if others do not agree.

  Link Back - This is a weakness because it may lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of abnormality.
• Point - A weakness of failure to function adequately is it can be hard to say when someone is really failing to function and when they are just deviating from social norms.

  Example/ Explain - For example, we might think not having a job or permanent address is a sign of failure to function adequately, but, this could be due to their personal choice rather than an indicator of failing to function adequately.

  Link Back - This is a weakness because if we treat these behaviours as 'failures' we risk limiting personal freedoms and discriminating against minority groups