Defining Abnormality

• Defining Abnormality: Definition 1

  Statistical Infrequency, how common a behaviour is. If it is statistically unusual then it is classed as abnormal
• Statistical Deviation

  Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic, for example being less/more intelligent than most of the population
• Normal Distribution

  A symmetrical spread of frequency data that forms a bell shaped pattern. Mean, median and mode are all located at the highest peak. The mean is most effected by extremes
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 1 Evaluation

  P: Strength of statistical infrequency is its usefulness

  E: Used in clinical practice, part of formal diagnosis, Beck depression inventory (30+ score is widely seen as indicating severe depression)

  E: Successful, can ensure a person gets the appropriate help

  L: Real world application
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 1 Evaluation

  P: Limitation, infrequent characteristics can be positive and negative

  E: In every person with an IQ below 70, there is a person with an IQ above 130 which is positive for society

  E: Demonstrating abnormal qualities does not make someone abnormal therefore statistical infrequency is not sufficient enough as the sole basis for defining abnormality

  L: Reduces the validity of this
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 1 Evaluation

  P: Limitation, can label people

  E: Not all statistically abnormal people benefit from labels, can impact them when looking for a job or may be able enjoy a lifestyle with this abnormality

  E: May feed into social stigma, may put that person at a disadvantage due to the association

  C: Some people may benefit from a label and be able to seek out appropriate help

  L: Positives and negatives dependent on the lifestyle/person
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 2

  Deviation from social norms: Concerns any behaviour that is different from the accepted standards in a community or society
• Norms:

  • Specific to cultures at that point in time
  • Relatively few which are universally abnormal
  • E.g. Homosexuality once was in ours and still in others
• Antisocial Personality disorder: APD

  • Abnormal behaviour
  • Don't conform to our moral standard
  • Disregard for the law or welfare or others
  • 'Absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour
  • Deviates from accepted social behaviour
  • Stealing, little remorse etc...
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 2 Evaluation

  Real world application

  P: Strength, usefulness

  E: Used in clinical practice

  E: Valuable for psychiatry us they can help and diagnose people

  L: Certain behaviours can be treated and helped
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 2 Evaluation

  Cultural and situational relativism

  P: Limitation, variability between norms in different cultures and situations

  E: A person from one cultural group may label another as abnormal using their own standards (hearing voices in some cultures is normal)

  E: May result in some behaviour being accepted in one context but not the other

  L: Difficult to judge deviation
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 2 Evaluation

  Human rights abuse

  P: Limitation, deviation can define someone as abnormal which leaves them vulnerable to human rights abuse

  E: Used historically (E.g. Nymphomania: A women's uncontrollable or excessive sexual desires)

  E: May result in people being manipulated into conformity through false diagnosis

  L: Human rights abuse
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 3

  Failure to function adequately: Occurs when someone in unable to cope with ordinary demands of everyday living
• Rosenham and Seligman (1989)


  Identified some signs that can be used to determine when someone is not coping

  1. When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules
  2. Severe personal distress
  3. Irrational or dangerous behaviour
• Intellectual disability disorder


  Unable to cope with the basic questioning of daily life
• The Global assesment of Functioning scale: (GAF)


  • Method of measuring how well individuals function in everyday life
  • Considers occupational functioning
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 3 Evaluation 


  Represents a threshold for help

  • Strength
  • Mind charity statistics: 25% of the UK experience a mental health problem in a given year
  • When we cease to function adequately, people notice and are referred help
  • People can seek professional help, treatment and services
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 3 Evaluation

  Exceptions to the rule

  • Limitation
  • Stressful experiences may result in inadequate behaviour
  • Does not been that person is abnormal
  • unfair to give someone a label is they are suffering (e.g. Bereavement)
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 3 Evaluation

  Discrimination and social control

  • Limitation
  • Easy to label non-standard living choices as abnormal
  • People may choose to deviate from social norm
  • Limited usefulness, may be limiting someone's freedom
  • People who make unusual choices at risk of being labelled abnormal
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 4

  Deviation from ideal mental health: Looking at what is normal, MARIE JAHODA noted that we define illness by looking at the absence of signs of physical health so we should do the same for mental health
• Marie Jahoda's 6 categories to define 'normality'

  Absence of any of these criteria indicates abnormality and potential mental disorder

  1. Self Attitudes
  2. Personal Growth and self actualisation
  3. Resistance to stress
  4. Autonomy
  5. Accurate perception of reality
  6. Environmental masterY
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 4 Evaluation 


  Comprehensive definition

  • Strength
  • Used to identify a large amount of people
  • Helps you to access yourself and others
  • Provides a checklist
  • Positive movement of psychology, helps those who want to improve their mental health
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 4 Evaluation

  Extremely high standards

  • Limitation
  • difficult to keep them up for very long
  • Disheartening to see an impossible set of standards to live up to
• Defining Abnormality: Definition 4 Evaluation 


  May be culture bound

  • Limitation
  • Not equally applicable across a range of cultures
  • Lacks ecological validity
  • Firmly located in individualistic cultures