Definitions of Abnormalities

• Psychopathology


  The scientific study of psychological disorders
• Definitions of abnormality


  • Deviation from social norms
  • Failure to function adequately
  • Statistical infrequency
  • Deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical deviation


  Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic, for example being more depressed or less intelligent than most of the population
• Deviation from social norms


  Occurs when behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
• Failure to function adequately


  Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living
• Deviation from ideal mental health


  Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
• According to the statistical infrequency definition, any relatively usual behaviour or characteristic can be classed as 'normal' and any unusual behaviour is 'abnormal' (it is statistically infrequent)
• On a normal distribution curve less than 5% of the population will be found at plus or minus two standard deviations so any behaviours falling into these points will be statistically rare and by this definition we would say they were abnormal
• Statistical Infrequency Definition


  • An objective way to measure abnormality
  • Has real world applications (e.g. Beck depression inventory)
  • Some unusual characteristics can be positive (e.g. high IQ)
  • Common disorders not classed as abnormal (e.g. depression, anxiety)
• Deviation from Social Norms

  Abnormality can be measured by how far a person's behaviour deviates (moves away) from the socially accepted norms or values of their society
• Antisocial personality disorder


  • A person with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive, and irresponsible. According to DSM-5 one important symptom is an "absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour".
• Deviation from Social Norms Definition

  • Distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviour
  • Has real-world applications (e.g. diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder)
  • Culturally relative - social norms differ from one culture to the next
  • Not stable over time - social norms change
• According to the statistical infrequency definition, Gloria's very high IQ would be considered abnormal as it is statistically rare (top 1% of population)
• According to the deviation from social norms definition, Gloria's poor social skills and behaviour that deviates from accepted social norms would be considered abnormal
• However, her high IQ, while statistically rare, is not necessarily undesirable, so the statistical infrequency definition may not fully capture her situation
• Abnormal


  Failure to meet the prescribed criteria for psychological normality/wellbeing
• Criteria for ideal mental health

  • Self-Attitudes: having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity
  • Personal Growth and self-actualisation: the extent to which an individual develops his or her full capabilities (strive to reach our potential)
  • Integration: being able to cope with stressful situations
  • Autonomy: being independent of others and self-regulating
  • Having an accurate perception of reality
  • Mastery of the environment: including ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  Abnormality is that which fails to meet the prescribed criteria for psychological normality/wellbeing
• The Deviation from Ideal Mental Health definition covers a broad range of criteria and is a useful tool for thinking about mental health
• The Deviation from Ideal Mental Health definition is a positive approach as it focuses on what is desirable behaviour rather than what is undesirable
• The Deviation from Ideal Mental Health criteria are too demanding and difficult for most people to achieve, so by these standards most people would be defined as abnormal
• The Deviation from Ideal Mental Health criteria may be culture bound and difficult to apply across different cultures
• Failure to Function Adequately


  When a person can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life, reaching a point of dysfunction or abnormality
• Indicators of failure to function adequately

  • Personal distress
  • Behaviour no longer conforming to standard rules (dysfunctional or maladaptive behaviour)
  • Behaviour becoming irrational
• The Failure to Function Adequately definition recognises the subjective experience of the patient and allows their own feelings, thoughts and behaviours to be considered
• The Failure to Function Adequately definition provides an easy judgement to make as the behaviours can be listed objectively
• A weakness of the Failure to Function Adequately definition is that seriously ill individuals may not be capable of recognising their own abnormal behaviour and seeking help
• Some seriously ill individuals like psychopaths can still appear to function normally while carrying out terrible actions, which is a weakness of the Failure to Function Adequately definition