Strengths

• P -> One strength of this definition is that there are real-life applications in identifying disorders if we know what is not the norm in society.
• Ev -> For example, people with antisocial personality disorder (APD) are manipulative, repeatedly commit crimes and show a persistent lack of regard for others and remorse. This definition would see them as abnormal as they show both moral and legal violations.
• Ex -> This definition of abnormality means that we can judge people’s behaviour in terms of whether it is normal or abnormal. By identifying these people, we can then put interventions in place, such as a potential diagnosis of a disorder. This in turn will benefit the person, and society as their behaviour will then change to fit societal norms.
• L ->Therefore, this definition can be considered useful in identifying abnormality
• P ->One strength of this definition is that it gives flexibility of what is abnormal across different situations.
• Ev -> For example, this definition recognises that some situations would be seen as abnormal at certain times, but not others (e.g. the way someone dresses in certain situations will affect the judgement of abnormality, such as when it is acceptable to wear a bikini). It also recognises differences in abnormalities across age groups, such as emotional responses (e.g. temper tantrums are normal in childhood but abnormal in adulthood)
• Ex -> It is more flexible than other definitions where what is seen as abnormal is quite rigid, such as statistical infrequency (uncommon behaviours are not always seen as abnormal in society). This definition instead recognises that certain situations would change that judgement, meaning that someone will not always be labelled as abnormal.
• L -> Therefore this definition is useful when judging abnormality across situations which would change whether the person would be seen as abnormal or not.