Definitions of abnormality

• Statistical infrequency 


  Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic.
• Statistical infrequency - example

  IQ and intellectual disability disorder:

  • average IQ is 100
  • score below 70 is abnormal - receive diagnosis
• AO3 statistical infrequency - real-world application

  Used in clinical practice as part of formal diagnosis and a way to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms.

  E.G - Becks depression inventory. 30+ indicates severe depression.
• AO3 statistical infrequency - unusual characteristics can be positive

  Infrequent characteristics can be positive

  IQ above 130 we would not think as abnormal

  Unusual does not equal abnormal
• Deviation from social norms 


  Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
• Deviation from social norms - Example

  Antisocial personality disorder is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.

  DSM-5 - psychopaths are abnormal because they don't conform to our moral standards.
• AO3 deviation from social norms - Real-world application

  Used in clinical practice.

  defining characteristic of antisocial behaviour: failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour.

  e.g - recklessness, aggression and deceitfulness

  helps diagnosis
• AO3 deviation from social norms - variability between social norms in different cultures and situations

  • A person from one cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their own standards
  • E.g - hearing voices is the norm in some cultures
  • Differs in situations
  • Deceitful behaviour in family life is socially unacceptable but not in corporate deal-making
• Failure to function adequately


  Occurs when someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day-to-day living.

  • unable to maintain basic standards of hygiene
  • cannot hold down a job
• Failure to function adequately - example

  Intellectual disability disorder - failure to function adequately
• AO3 failure to function adequately - represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help

  Most people have symptoms of mental disorder to some degree.

  When we cease to function adequately people seek professional help or are more noticed and referred for help.

  Services can target most at need.
• AO3 failure to function adequately - discrimination and social control

  • easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
  • Not having a job could simply be an alternative lifestyle to live 'off-grid'
• Deviation from ideal mental health


  Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
• Deviation from ideal mental health criteria - Jahoda

  good mental health:

  • no symptoms of distress
  • rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
  • self-actualise
  • cope with stress
  • realistic view of the world
  • good self-esteem and lack guilt
  • independent of other people
  • successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
• AO3 deviation from ideal mental health - a comprehensive definition

  • includes a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from mental disorder
  • individual's mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals
  • provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves
• AO3 deviation from mental health - culture bound

  Criteria are firmly located in the context of US and Europe

  Self-actualisation would be dismissed as self-indulgent in much of the world

  What defines success is very different in different cultures

  • difficult to apply concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another