Definitions of abnormality

• What is statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality?

  • Statistical norms are behaviours that are seen commonly amongst a population and considered normal
  • Behaviour becomes abnormal once reaching 2 standard deviations away from the norm - so statistical infrequency is behaviour that is statistically uncommon amongst a population
  • Objective and mathematic, what is infrequent is abnormal
• What is a strength of the statistical infrequency definition?

  • Real-world application: used in clinical practice as a part of formal diagnosis and assessing the severity of an individual's symptoms
  • For example a diagnosis of intellectual disability requires an IQ of below 70, which is the bottom 2%
  • Beck's depression inventory indicates severe depression if an individual scores above 30 meaning they are in the top 5% of respondents
  • Shows value of SI is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
• What is one limitation of the statistical infrequency definition?

  • Unusual characteristics can be positive: traits that are infrequent don't always have to be negative
  • For example we wouldn't think of someone with a high IQ or a low depression score on the BDI as abnormal, showing that being at one end of a psychological spectrum does not necessarily mean abnormality
  • SI is not sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality
• What is deviation from social norms as a definition of abnormality?

  • Social norms are unwritten rules for acceptable behaviour in society and can also be policed by laws
  • Deviation occurs when behaviour differs from these expected standards of what is acceptable and is then considered abnormal
• What is one strength of the DFSN definition?

  • Real-world application: used in clinical practice as a key defining characteristic fof antisocial personality disorder
  • Failure to conform to culturally acceptable behaviour can include recklessness, aggression, and violating others' rights
  • Such deviations also play a part in diagnosing the schizotypical personality disorder
  • Shows DFSN criterion has value in psychiatry
• What is one limitation of the DFSN definition?

  • Cultural and situational relativism: there is a lot of variability between social norms in different cultures and even different situations
  • What one culture views as abnormal another culture may view as normal e.g. jaywalking is considered a serious crime in the USA and Germany yet is casual and normal in the UK
  • Shows it is difficult to judge DFSN across different situations and cultures
• What is another limitation of the DFSN definition?

  • Human rights abuses: carries the risk of unfair labelling and leaving people open to human rights abuse
  • Diagnoses like nymphomania (women's uncontrollable or excessive sexual desire) and drapetomania (black slaves running away) were a way to control people and avoid debate
  • Shows there is considerable risk in using this definition as the sole basis for defining abnormality
• What is failure to function adequately as a definition of abnormality?

  • When an individual loses the basic abilities to cope with day-to-day activities
  • Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) proposed 7 characteristics of this:

  1. Personal distress: depression and anxiety

  2. Maladaptive behaviour: stops individuals attaining their life goals

  3. Unpredictability: impulsive behaviour

  4. Irrationality

  5. Observer discomfort: causes others discomfort

  6. Violation of moral standards: theirs and societys

  7. Unconventionality: goes against social norms
• What is one strength of the FTFA definition?

  • Sensible threshold for help: according to the mental health charity Mind around 25% of people in the UK experience mental health issues and would only seek professional help once they fail to function normally
  • Criterion means that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
• What is one limitation of the FTFA definition?

  • Situational relativism: some aspects of failing to function adequately are subjective and can simply be people's life choices, such as remaining unemployed or not having a permanent address and this does not make them abnormal
  • Also may be circumstances where people temporarily fail to function adequately such as bereavement yet this also would not make a person abnormal, suggesting FTFA is not objective
• What is deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality?

  Occurs when someone does not meet the criteria for good/ideal mental health. Jahoda's 6 criteria are:

  1. Positive self attitude: have self respect and positive self concept

  2. Personal growth and self actualisation: becoming everything one is capable of and experiencing character development

  3. Autonomy: being independent and self reliant, able to make personal decisions

  4. Integration (resisting stress): having effective coping strategies and able to deal with everyday anxiety-provoking situations

  5. Accurate perception of reality: having an objective and realistic view of the world

  6. Environmental mastery: being competent in aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation. Having the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
• What is one strength of the DFIMH definition?

  • Highly comprehensive: Jahoda's concepts include a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from mental disorder, covering many reasons why we may seek help with mental health
  • Means mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals who can take different theoretical views and target help to where it is needed
  • Provides a checklist for us to assess ourselves and receive the proper and specific treatment needed
• What is one limitation of the DFIMH definition?

  • Culture-bound: not all cultures share the same goals/aspects for ideal mental health
  • Some of Jahoda's criteria are firmly located in American and European context meaning they are specific to individualistic cultures - aspects like self-actualisation may be considered self-indulgent in other collectivist cultures who emphasise communal growth and helping others
  • Difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health amongst different cultures with differing ideas on what it means to them