Definitions of abnormality

• What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

  Statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical infrequency is when a person is considered abnormal if their traits, thinking or behaviour is considered to be numerically/statistically rare.
• An example of statistical infrequency in terms of abnormality is that only 2.5% of people score below 70 on an IQ test.
• The statistical approach is mostly useful when dealing with characteristics that can be reliably measured. They are on extreme ends of the normal distribution.
• A weakness of statistical infrequency is that some unusual characteristics can be positive. For example, having a very high IQ is unusual, but it is not undesirable and does not need treatment. However, there are some common behaviours that are not desirable (e.g. depression). This means that statistical infrequency is never used alone to make a diagnosis.
• A weakness of statistical infrequency is that it is hard to determine where to draw the line between common and statistically infrequent behaviour. It is not clear how numerically rare the behaviour has to be in order to be considered

  abnormal. This means that what counts as abnormal is

  subjectively determined.
• Deviation from social norms suggests that abnormality is any behaviour that is different from the rest of society's behaviour and doesn't follow the standards set by society.
• An example of deviation from social norms is antisocial personality disorder (APD) - psychopathy. A person with APD is abnormal as they do not conform to society's generally agreed upon moral standards.
• Deviation from social norms - weakness

  Social norms change over time. For example, homosexuality is socially accepted in society now, but it wasn't before 1973. This definition allows mental illness to be shaped by current attitudes. This may result in unfair treatment and even abuse of human rights.
• Deviance from social norms - weakness

  Social norms are dependent on culture. For example, hearing voices in western societies is considered abnormal, but in some cultures it is praised. This means that there is no universal standard of what is abnormal. This could lead to different diagnoses across cultures.
• Failure to function adequately suggests that when behaviour interferes with daily routine, it is to be considered abnormal. This means that the person is unable to cope with day-to-day tasks which causes them distress or discomfort (or to others).
• An example of failure to function adequately is if someone has depression and cannot go to work.
• Failure to function adequately - strength

  Recognises patients' perspective, it attempts to include the subjective experience of the patient. For example, how they are feeling. Other definitions such as statistical infrequency focus on deviance from the whole population. This means that failure to function adequately is useful for assessing abnormality.
• Failure to function adequately - However, there are exceptions to the rule. There are times when maladaptive behaviour is not abnormal due to a specific circumstance. For example, Gandhi went on a hunger strike for his campaign for Indian independence. This means that although this behaviour could be seen as 'failing to function adequately', this example is understandable considering the circumstance.
• Deviation from ideal mental health suggests that the more criteria someone fails to meet (in terms of 6 characteristics which promote psychological health) the more abnormal they are.
• Deviation from ideal mental health: Jahoda p

  • anyone unable to show the 6 characteristics which she believed promoted psychological health, she thought indicated abnormality and would be vulnerable to mental disorder.
  • examples of characteristics: self-actualisation, resistance to stress
• Deviance from ideal mental health: weakness

  • difficult to meet all criteria; it is unlikely that many people would be able to meet all of the criteria and therefore, when using this definition, most people are abnormal. For example, few people have positive attitudes towards themselves all of the time. This means it is setting an unrealistically high standard for mental health.
• Deviation from ideal mental health: weakness

  It is culturally relative as the criteria are based on a western idea of psychological health, including the views of individuality e.g. personal autonomy (being independent). This means that the definition is not appropriate for all collectivist societies who would not value autonomy.