definitions of abnormality

• deviation from social norms


  Abnormal behaviour is seen as a deviation from unstated rules about how one 'ought' to behave.
• Statistical infrequency


  Abnormality is defined as those behaviours that are statistically rare
• Deviation from ideal mental health


  abnormality is defined as a deviation from Johoda's 6 features of ideal mental health
• Failure to function adequately


  abnormality is defined as the struggle to cope with the demands of everyday life
• deviation from social norms evaluation

  -cultural relativism

  -susceptible to abuse

  -relies on context
• Statistical infrequency evaluation

  -some abnormal behaviour is desirable, e.g high IQ

  -cut off point is subjectively determined
• deviation from ideal mental health evaluation

  -unrealistic criteria

  -mental health different from physical health

  -cultural relativism, self-actualisation relevant in individualistic cultures not collectivist ones
• Failure to function adequately evaluation


  -easy to measure objectively

  -behaviour may be functional e.g depression leads to support for individual