Definitions of abnormality

• Statistical infrequency

  A persons behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is statistically rare or unusual

  E.g a very high or low IQ
• Statistical infrequency is: ++objective

  • reliance on quantitative data provides clear cut off point for normal or abnormal
  • decreases any bias in diagnosis from psychiatrists
  • which is integral due to the common characteristics they share
  • such as an upper middle class background and mainly white
  • may cause unjust diagnosis or judgment
  • this definition does not allow for this to occur
• Statistical infrequency: -- stigmatises behaviours as abnormal that may not be negative or need helping

  • as it classes anything rare as abnormal, this would contain special talents that people are proud of
  • but then labels those people with the negative connotations of abnormal
  • e.g a very high IQ is a good thing but labelled with negative connotations of abnormal as it is rare
• Statistical infrequency: — Some behaviours are statistically common but should not be labelled as normal

  • 27% if population affected by depression however this should not be labelled as normal
  • this definition does label it as normal
  • which downplays the grandiosity of the issue and may prevent people from reaching out for help as it is so ‘normal’
• Deviation from social norms

  When a behaviour is deemed abnormal when it violates the unwritten rules of how to behave in a specific society group
• The degree to which someone deviates from a social norm and how important the deviation is affects how abnormal the behaviour is
• Deviation from social norms: ++Social dimension allows for early intervention

  • social aspect of the defenition details how to spot someone with abnormal behaviour
  • and then how to help them by teaching successful interactions with society again within their societal norms
• deviation from social norms: -- social norms change over time

  • meaning that what was once classed as abnormal may not be now
  • e.g homophobia once classed as against the rules of society and thus abnormal by this defenition
  • however now it would be viewed as acceptable as social norms have changed
  • this may lead to inconsistency and confusion surrounding diagnosis
• Deviation from social norms: — social norms differ between culture

  • this could lead to inconsistent diagnosis using this defenition
  • as different cultures clad different things as acceptable in society
  • for example blowing your nose in the street in the UK is deemed a social norm however in India this is not a behaviour seen as normal in society
  • showing how social norms differ and therefore diagnosis could too
• deviation from social norms: — social norms are subjective

  • the idea of social norms are beliefs constucted by society
  • there is no scientific way of measuring them or classifying them
  • therefore there is no clear cut off to when a behaviour becomes abnormal
  • this is especially true as how abnormal a behaviour is is based upon how extreme the deviation is - which may be differnt based on different people opinions
• Failure to function adequately:

  when a person is unable to navigate everyday life or behave in the necessary was to conduct a normal life , preventing them from having job or interacting sociallu
• Rosenhan and seligman

  • identified features that identify someone who is filin to function adequately

  1. personal distress
  2. maladaptive behaviour
  3. irrational behaviour
  4. unpredictability
  5. making other uncomfortable with your behaviour
• The global assessment of functioning scale

  is another element of the failure to function adequately defenition

  provides a method of quantifying the extent to which the mental disorder is affecting an individual ability to function
• Failure to function adequately: + Global assessment of functioning scale is objective provides quantitative data

  • Shows a clear cut off point for where behaviour becomes abnormal
  • making diagnosis more clear
• Failure to function adequately: — not everyone with a mental disorder is unable to function

  • some people who are suffering from a mental disorder may be able to hold down a job and conduct social interactions normally
  • their behaviour may not be unpredictable or irrational
  • therefore this defenition would label them as normal
  • which is incorrect and may lea to misdiagnosis and prevent people from accessing help
• Deviation from ideal mental health

  Jahoda identifies 6 characteristics to define mental health, and states that devations from these criteria are abnormal behaviours
• Jahodas characteristsics

  1. a positive attitude towards oneself
  2. self actualisation (achieving one’s personal goals and progress)
  3. autonomy (being independent and able to make decisions for yourself)
  4. Ability to resist stress
  5. an accurate reception of reality
  6. mastery of environment (ability to navigate work and social situations)
• Deviations from ideal mental health: + holistic and positive

  • focuses on the whole person and their behaviour
  • giving them positive goals to strive towards rather than criticising the way they behave
  • this at increase motivation and make recovery more manageable
• Deviation from ideal mental health: - the criteria is too harsh

  • very few people meet all 6 criteria
  • e.g may have low self esteem
  • however this does not mean that they should e classified as abnormal
  • or futhermore psychologically unhealthy
• Deviation from ideal mental health: — the criteria are subjective and hard to measure

  • for example it is not possible to quantify how much someone is self actualising
  • the only way to know is relying on self report methods
  • which are criticised due to social desirability
  • therefore they lack validity
  • making diagnosis unclear