definitions of abnormality

• Psychopathology refers to the study of mental disorders in terms of their causes, development, course, classification, and treatment.
• We have 4 different ways of defining abnormality

  • Statistical infrequency
  • Deviation from social norms
  • Failure to function adequately
  • Deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical infrequency occurs when a person’s trait, thinking, or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual.
• Statistical infrequency is used in clinical practice as part of formal diagnosis and as a way to assess symptom severity. E.g. to be diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder your IQ must be in the bottom 2%.

  Shows the value of statistical infrequency criterion in diagnosis of disorders
• weakness -

  Infrequent characteristics can be positive, however we may not view these as abnormal. Therefore, being statistically infrequent, does not always make someone ‘abnormal’

  Although statistical infrequency can form part of an assessment, it is never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality.
• Deviation from social norms concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community/society
• Norms are specific to the country we live in

  • Few behaviours are ‘universally abnormal’ on the basis of social norms
  • E.g. homosexuality was considered abnormal in the UK in the past and now is not. It is still seen as abnormal in other cultures.
• Deviation from social norms is used in practice e.g. defining APD as a deviation in moral reasoning.

  Shows the value of deviation from social norms in criterion in diagnosis of disorders
• A person from one culture may label someone as abnormal using their standards rather than that persons standards. Even within one culture, norms can change based on the situation.

  It is hard to judge deviation from social norms across situations and cultures
• Failure to function adequately refers to the inability to cope with everyday life.

  Proposed signs of failure to cope:

  • No longer conform to interpersonal rules e.g. maintaining personal space
  • They experience personal distress
  • They behave in a way that is irrational/dangerous
• It is hard to distinguish whether someone is failing to function adequately or deviating from social norms. People who live alternate lifestyle could be seen as behaving maladaptively according the definition.

  If we treat all abnormal behaviours as failing to function adequately, we may limit freedom.
• Deviation from ideal mental health is thinking about what makes someone ‘normal’ and psychological healthy and identifying anyone who deviated from this.
• Jahoda’s 8 criteria for ideal mental health:

  1. No symptoms or distress
  2. Rational and perceive ourselves accurately
  3. We self-actualise
  4. Can cope with stress
  5. Realistic world view
  6. Good self-esteem
  7. Independent of others
  8. Successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure.
• Someone has to judge whether a behaviour is distressing or not and some patients may say they are distressed but may not be viewed as suffering.

  There are some checklists we can use, however the decision is largely subjective to the psychiatrist and may change based on the judger.
• Deviation from mental health covers a broad range of criteria and likely covers most reasons someone might seek out mental health services.

  The range of factors discussed In the criteria make it a good tool for thinking about mental health and using it to make a diagnosis