Abnormality

• Abnormality


  When someone's behaviour is considered 'abnormal' it is generally because their behaviour differs noticeably from what society may expect
• Abnormality is difficult to define
• Views of abnormality change across cultures, vary within cultures over time, and vary from group to group (e.g. Chavs and Goths) within the same society (cultural relativism)
• It is essential to examine views of abnormality as they form the basis for defining and identifying psychological disorders
• Psychopathology


  The study of those with mental health issues and ideas are of 'abnormal behaviour must be confined to rational medical models of abnormality
• Norm


  A standard or rule that regulates behaviour in a social setting e.g. it is the norm in our society to be polite and say please and thank you
• Abnormality


  Moving away from the norm, non-compliance with society's norms and values
• Statistical Infrequency


  • Abnormal if it falls outside the range that is typical for most people, the average is 'normal'
  • Traits such as intelligence fall within fairly broad areas, people outside these areas might be considered abnormally clever or unintelligent
• The cut off points for statistical infrequency are rather arbitrary, it ignores desirability of behaviour, and it doesn't account for 'abnormal' behaviours that are as frequent as 'normal' behaviours
• How can someone with an IQ of 70 be considered normal, whilst a person with an IQ of 1 point difference (69) be considered abnormal?
• Some disorders, for example depression, are statistically very frequent, but still classified as abnormal. Furthermore, having an IQ over 150 is not frequent yet it doesn't mean it is not desirable
• What is statistically frequent and acceptable in one culture and time period is not necessarily the norm in another
• Deviation from Social Norms

  • Behaviour that deviates (moves away) from these norms is considered abnormal
  • Social norms are approved and expected ways of behaving in a particular society or social situation, they can be explicit (e.g. laws) or implicit (e.g. unwritten rules)
• As social norms are created within a culture it can be argued that deviation from social norms is limited by cultural relativism
• Different cultures have different social norms and expectations of behaviour, for example, Cochrane (1977) found that black people were more often diagnosed with schizophrenia than white or Asian people, but this was not found in Jamaica
• It may not be appropriate to use deviation from social norms to define abnormality beyond a specific culture (Western)
• Strength of deviation from Social Norms

  • It differentiates between desirable and undesirable behaviour, unlike statistical infrequency which suggests rare behaviour is abnormal even if desirable
• A weakness of the deviation from social norms definition it allows mental health professionals to abuse their power by classifying people as mentally ill just because they 'break the rules' in society.e.g. 1950s having communist views in America was classed as abnormal - ppl sent to mental health institutions. Can be a way of controlling non-conformists
• A strength of deviation from social norms definition is that is has practical applications in identifying developmental norms e.g. Using a nappy at 2 is considered normal perhaps not at 30. In turn allowing support to be put in place
• Abnormality


  Theoretical description suggested by Marie Jahoda in 1958
• Criteria for ideal mental health ('normality')

  • Positive attitude towards the self
  • Self-actualisation
  • Autonomy
  • Resistance to stress
  • Environmental mastery
  • Accurate perception of reality
• Positive attitude towards the self


  Linked to the individual's level of self-esteem, should be at a good level so the individual feels happy with themselves
• Self-actualisation


  Being in a state of contentment, feeling that you have become the best you can be
• Autonomy


  Having the independence and self-reliance, the ability to function as an individual and not depending on others
• Resistance to stress


  The individual should not feel under stress and they should be able to handle stressful situations competently
• Environmental mastery


  The person can adapt to new situations and be at ease at all situations in their life
• Accurate perception of reality


  The individual sees the world around them in a way that is similar to how others see the world, focused on the distortions of thinking that some people may experience
• For ideal mental health to be achieved the individual should experience all of these criteria and if some are not fulfilled the person will experience difficulties