A01 (1) Definitions of abnormalities

• DSM-5 definition of a person with Antisocial personality disorder

  Has an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful/culturally normative ethical behaviour
• DSM-5

  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• Antisocial personality disorder

  Person (typically a man) with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.
• Homosexuality

  Deemed as 'abnormal' in some cultures. Brunei introduced laws making homosexuality punishable by death via stoning but in the UK, it is accepted
• Norms are specific to the culture we live in

  Social norms are different for each generation and every culture. Only few behaviours are considered universally 'abnormal' on the basis they breach social norms
• Social standards

  As a society, we make collective judgement as a society about what is right and considered 'normal
• Deviation from social norms

  People whose actions deviate from social norms are noticeable as the person behaves differently from how we expect people to behave.
• IQ and intellectual disability disorder

  Average IQ is set around 100 and 68% of people have an IQ around 85-115. 2% of people score below 70 and this leads to the theory they have intellectual disability disorder which is defined as 'abnormal'
• Distribution

  Intelligence can be reliably measured. Normal distribution is when people's scores cluster around the average and the further below/above the average you go, there will be fewer people
• Statistical infrequency


  Statistical definition states any relatively usual behaviour can be seen as 'normal' and thus, behaviour that is different can be be regarded as 'abnormal'