Abnormality

• Statistical Infrequency

  Any 'unusual' behaviour or characteristic that can be thought of as abnormal.

  • Individuals with an IQ of below 70 or above 130 are classified as abnormal
• SI : Strength

  Used in clinical practices, for assessing and diagnosing. For example, a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder requires a IQ of <70
• SI : Weakness

  'Abnormal' characteristics can be positive and negative, and being on the end of a psychological spectrum does not necessarily make someone abnormal. It can form part of the assessment but is never sufficient as a sole basis for abnormality.
• Deviation from Social Norms

  Behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society, specific to the culture we live in.
• DSN : Strength

  Useful in clinical practice, as symptoms of disorders are often classified as deviation from social norms. Shows criterion has value in psychiatry.
• DSN : Weakness

  There is cultural and situational relativism as behaviours from one culture may be seen as 'abnormal' in another culture's standards.

  • hearing voices is the norm for some cultures, but is abnormal in the UK
• Failure to Function Adequately

  When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living. Rosenhan and Seligman proposed a criteria:

  1. Ignores interpersonal rules (personal space)
  2. Severe personal distress
  3. Behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous
• FFA : Strength

  Represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help. The criteria means people can be identified and treatment/services can be targeted to those who need them most
• FFA : Weakness

  It is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. People who live alternative lifestyles may choose to live 'dangerous' or 'strange' lives, but this doesn't make them abnormal or having their freedom of choice restricted.
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health.

  Jahoda identified a list of criteria e.g:

  • Cope with stress
  • Good self esteem and lack of guilt
  • Realistic view of the world
• DIMH : Strength

  The definition is highly comprehensive as it provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with professionals.
• DIMH : Weakness


  Few individuals attain all of the criteria as it has extremely high standards. This can make people feel disheartened to see an impossible set of standards to live up to, and the validity is questioned as if the majority of people lack at least one of these criteria meaning being abnormal is actually normal.