definitions of abnormality

• defining abnormality enables psychology to classify and describe emotions, behaviours and thoughts that are considered a typical
• abnormality:

  1.deviation from social norms

  2.failure to function adequately

  3.deviation from ideal mental health

  4.statistical division
• deviation from normal mental health:

  ideal mental health (marie jahoda)

  -high self esteem

  -self actualisation

  -able to cope with stress

  -independence

  -accurate perception of reality

  -environmental mastery (adjusting to new situations and problem solving)

  -can perceive ourselves accurately

  -no symptoms or distress
• deviation from social norms:

  -when a person behaves in a way which is different then how we expect people to behave

  -social groups define behaviour as the norm
• statistical infrequency:

  -based on numbers and stats

  -behaviours are seen as abnormal if they are statistically uncommon

  -based on how uncommon a behaviour is within a population
• failure to function adequately:

  -is defined as abnormal when they can no longer cope with everyday demands of life e.g work, hygiene
• david rosenhan and martin selgiman- proposed additional signs that someone is not coping (failure to function adequately)

  -severe personal distress

  -irrational or dangerous behaviour

  -can no longer conform to standard interpersonal rules e.g eye contact
• supporting evidence for statistical infrequency (ao3):

  real world application- used in clinical practice as part of formal diagnosis and as a way to assess severity of individuals symptoms e.g beck depression inventory
• limiting evidence for statistical infrequency (ao3):

  unusual characteristics can be positive- statistically infrequent characteristics can be positive aswell. would not think of someone as abnormal for having extremely high iq or low very low depression score. not a sufficient basis for defining abnormality
• supporting evidence for deviation from social norms (ao3):

  real world application-used in clinical practice, key defining characteristics of antisocial personality disorder and schizotypical personality disorder
• limiting evidence for deviation from social norm (ao3):

  variability between social norms in different cultures and situations- for example hearing voices in some cultures is the norm (speaking to ancestors) but would be seen as abnormal in other cultures. aggressive behaviour may be more socially acceptable in different situation. hard to judge across cultures and situations
• failure to function adequately supporting evidence (ao3):

  represents a threshold for help- many have symptoms of mental disorder to some degree at times in our lives. but when we cease to function adequately this is when people seek or are noticed and referred to professionals. treatments and services can be targeted to those who need it most
• failure to function adequately limiting evidence (ao3):

  easy to label non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. for example not having a job or permanent adress may appear as failing to function to some people but to others may choose to live off the grid and so might those who favour high risk or spiritual lesuire activities. those who make unusual choices at risk of being labeled abnormal
• deviation from ideal mental health supporting evidence (ao3):

  a comprehensive definition- highly comprehensive which includes a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from disorder. covers most of the reasons we might seek help for mental health so provides a checklist we can assess with and discuss with professionals
• deviation from ideal mental health limiting evidence (ao3):

  may be culture bound- elements are not applicable across a range of culture. some ideas firmly in context of us and europe. self actualisation may be seen as self indulgence in many cultures. variation in value placed on independence. high in germany and low in italy.