AO1

• Definitions of Abnormality:

  • statistical infrequency
  • deviation from social norms
  • failure to function adequately
  • deviation from ideal mental health
• The Statistical infrequency definition of abnormality states that abnormal behaviour is behaviour that is very rare
• Failure to function adequately is inability to cope with daily life (interacting with the world and people around us)
• Deviation from ideal mental health: An definition of abnormality that suggests if a person does not achieve one of the six criteria of ideal mental health, they are acting abnormally. These six criteria are coping with stress, self-actualisation, sufficient self-esteem, autonomy, adaptation to new situations and an accurate idea of the world.
• Deviation from social norms: A definition of abnormality that suggests that if a person deviates from cultural and social rules, they are abnormal. This definition is restricted temporally and spatially
• Failure to function adequately: A definition of abnormality that suggests that a person has abnormal behaviour if they are unable to function in everyday life. This definition encompasses an individual’s quality of life as well as their objective behaviour
• Statistical infrequency: An explanation for abnormality that suggests abnormalities can be statistically determined. If the behaviour is calculated to fall out of the range of normal distribution, it can be labelled as statistically infrequent and therefore abnormal.
• 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