Definitions of Abnormality

• Statistical Infrequency

  Abnormality is defined by how rare a behavior or condition is within a population
• Statistical Infrequency

  • Uses statistical data to identify individuals who significantly deviate from the norm, such as intelligence measured by IQ scores
  • Provides an objective method to identify who may need support based on quantifiable data
  • Arbitrary cutoff points can exclude or misclassify individuals; high frequency disorders like depression may be considered normal
• Failure to Function Adequately

  Individuals are considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with daily life and responsibilities
• Failure to Function Adequately

  • Includes maladaptive behavior, personal distress, irrationality, and unpredictability
  • Focuses on the practical impact of disorders on daily functioning
  • Subjective judgments can lead to inconsistent diagnoses; does not account for functional individuals with harmful traits (e.g., psychopathy)
• Deviation from Social Norms

  Abnormality is seen through the lens of societal expectations and norms
• Deviation from Social Norms

  • Behavior that deviates from accepted social rules can be labeled as abnormal
  • Respects cultural differences and acknowledges that norms can vary widely between societies
  • Risk of diagnosing cultural differences as disorders; potential to suppress individuality
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  Based on Jahoda's criteria which outline features of ideal mental health including autonomy, resistance to stress, and accurate perception of reality
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  • Provides a positive and holistic approach to mental health
  • Impractical criteria that most people cannot meet simultaneously; culturally biased towards individualistic societies
• Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health

  Stem from a humanistic psychological perspective and propose a model for what constitutes psychological well-being or "normal" mental health
• Mental health isn't merely the absence of illness but includes several positive attitudes and abilities
• Jahoda's six criteria for ideal mental health

  • Self-Attitudes
  • Growth, Development, and Self-Actualization
  • Integration
  • Autonomy
  • Perception of Reality
  • Environmental Mastery
• Self-Attitudes

  Having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity
• Growth, Development, and Self-Actualization


  The extent to which an individual realizes their own capabilities and potential
• Integration


  Being able to handle stressful situations effectively. This includes having a well-balanced psychological outlook
• Autonomy


  Being independent and self-regulating. Individuals should have the ability to make personal decisions and be self-reliant
• Perception of Reality


  Having an objective and un-distorted view of the world
• Environmental Mastery


  Competently managing various life situations, including interpersonal relationships and everyday tasks and work