Definitions of abnormality

• What are the four definitions of abnormality?

  -statistical infrequency

  -deviation from social norms

  -failure to function adequately

  -deviation from ideal mental health
• What is statistical infrequency?

  When an individual has a less common characteristic than the rest of the population
• What is deviation from social norms?

  Behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
• What is failure to function adequately?

  When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living
• What is deviation from ideal mental health?

  When someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
• What are the positives of using statistical infrequency as a measure for abnormality ?

  Real world application: can be used to diagnose intellectual disability disorder (must have an IQ in the bottom 2% of the population)
• What are the negatives of using statistical infrequency as a measure for abnormality?

  Infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative, e.g. a high IQ in the top 2% of the population
• What are the positives of using deviation from social norms as a measure for abnormality?

  Real world application: diagnosing antisocial personality disorder (failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour)
• What are the negatives of using deviation from social norms as a measure for abnormality?

  There is variability between social norms in different cultures, making it difficult to judge deviation in social norms between different situations and cultures
• What are the positives of using failure to function adequately as a measure for abnormality?

  Represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help. It provides a criteria so that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
• What are the negatives of using failure to function adequately as a measure for abnormality?

  Makes it easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. This means that people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice is restricted
• What are the positives of using deviation from ideal mental health as a measure for abnormality?

  It provides a checklist in which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals
• What are the negatives of using deviation from ideal mental health as a measure for abnormality?

  It is difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another (e.g. self-actualisation could be seen as self indulgent in some parts of the world)