Definitions of abnormality

• Statistical infrequency


  Behaviours that are extremely rare and therefore found in very few people, such as extremely high IQ
• Statistical infrequency


  • Can be shown on a bell curve, usually about 5% of the population (two standard deviation points aware from the mean)
  • No value judgements are made and is sometimes appropriate
  • Some abnormal behaviour is desirable (such as high IQ) and so this definition does not distinguish between those that are desirable and those that are not
  • Not all behaviour is infrequent – according to definition we may be considered abnormal
  • Culturally relative – based on western cultures, behaviours that are statistically infrequent in one culture may be more frequent in another
• Deviation from social norms


  Anyone who deviates from socially created norms (standards of behaviour) is considered abnormal
• Social norms


  • They are created by a group or society
  • Some rules are implicit whereas others are laws
  • For example, not laughing at a funeral = implicit, whereas murder = illegal
• Strength of social norms

  • They distinguish between undesirable and desirable behaviours
• Social norms change over time (for example homosexuality), means the definition is based on social attitudes at the time
• Social norms are susceptible to abuse – Szas argued its way to exclude nonconformists from society
• Social norms are culturally relative – they vary across cultures
• Deviation from ideal mental health

  Person's behaviour is measured against a check list of ideal psychological characteristics
• Judging mental health


  In the same way as physical health, a person requires certain attributes to be mentally healthy
• Jahoda's 6 characteristics of mental health


  • Self attitudes
  • Personal growth and self-actualisation
  • Integration
  • Autonomy
  • Accurate perception of reality
  • Mastery of the environment
• Strength of the deviation from ideal mental health approach

  • Positive approach, focusing on what is desirable, not undesirable
• Weakness of the deviation from ideal mental health approach


  • Unrealistic criteria—we could all be considered abnormal
  • Suggests that mental health is the same as physical health—but we are unable to diagnose mental health in the same way
  • Culturally relative – self actualisation is a concept related to individualist cultures but not collectivist cultures
• Failure of function adequately


  • People are judged on their ability to go about daily life—eating regularly, washing regularly, holding down a job etc.
  • If they are unable to function adequately and they are distressed, or others are distressed by their behaviour, then it is considered a sign of abnormality
• DSM


  Includes an assessment of ability to function which considers 6 areas e.g. self-care
• Strength of judging abnormality by function


  • Recognises perspective of the individual, easy/objective to judge via assessment
• Some dysfunctional behaviour


  Can be quite functional as it rewards the individual with attention
• Dysfunctional behaviour


  • Drag queens vs. transvestites—drag queens make a living out of cross-dressing, whilst transvestism is regarded as abnormal
• Judging abnormality by function is culturally relative – based upon western cultures ideals and beliefs = may only be applied to those individuals