T4.1 Definitions Of Abnormality

• The four definitions of abnormality are: Statistical Infrequency, Deviation From Social Norms, Failure To Function Adequately and Deviation From Ideal Mental Health.
• What is Statistical Infrequency?

  Abnormality occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic than the majority of the population.
• In any human characteristic, the majority of people’s scores will cluster around the average, and so the further we go above/below that average, fewer people will attain that score (this is called Normal Distribution).
• What is one example of Statistical Infrequency?

  Intellectual Disability Disorder
• The average IQ is 100. In a normal distribution, most people (68%) have an IQ in the range from 85-115.
• Only 2% of people have an IQ below 70, and so these people are said to be ‘abnormal’. They are liable to receive a diagnosis of a psychological disorder (in this case - Intellectual Disability Disorder).
• What is Deviation From Social Norms

  …concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society.
• Social norms are specific to the culture we live in.
• What is an example of Deviation From Social Norms

  Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Someone with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.
• An important symptom of this disorder is an ‘absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’.

  — Essentially, the social judgement is made that psychopaths are abnormal as they do not conform to the society’s moral standards.
• What is Failure To Function Adequately?


  …occurs when someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of everyday life.
• Demands of everyday life include: maintaining basic nutrition and hygiene standards, and relationships and work.
• Additional signs that can be used to determine failure to function adequately include:

  1. No longer conforming to standard impersonal rules e.g maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space
  2. Experiencing severe personal distress
  3. Irrational or dangerous behaviour towards themselves or others.
• What is an example of Failure To Function Adequately?


  Intellectual Disability Disorder (which is also an example of Statistical Infrequency)
• Those with a very low IQ (a statistical infrequency) are able to receive a diagnosis for Intellectual Disability Disorder. Another criteria for those to receive a diagnosis is for them to be failing to function adequately.
• What is Deviation From Ideal Mental Health?

  Abnormality occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health.
• Jahoda (1958) suggested a criteria for good mental health:

  • No signs of symptoms or distress
  • Rational - can perceive themselves accurately
  • Able to self-actualise
  • Able to cope with stress
  • Has a realistic view of the world
  • Good self-esteem and lacks guilt
  • Able to work, love and enjoy leisure

  Those that do not meet the criteria are deemed as abnormal.