Definitions of abnormality

• Deviation from social norms- Anyone who behaves differently and deviates from the socially created (unwritten) rules about what is considered acceptable behaviour is classed as abnormal.
• (-) Time sensitive/ temporal validity Social norms vary as times change. I.e what is socially acceptable now may not have been socially acceptable 50 years ago. E.g homosexuality is acceptable but it was not in the past
• The issue with this is that if we define abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms, what we consider abnormal will change as social norms change
• (-) Cultural differences in what is considered normal
• (-) Difficult to decide how much a behaviour must deviate before its considered abnormal
• (-) Overlooks desirability - some behaviours are positive and some negative but both may be statistically abnormal e.g smart/ dumb
• Failure to function adequately Defines abnormality as when a person is unable to cope with simple day to day life and fails to complete basic tasks
• (-) Subjective In order to determine failure to function adequately someone needs to decide if this is actually the case, therefore it is subjective and one therapist may think it is abnormal but another might not.
• (-) failure to function adequately- the individual's behaviour is compared to ideas on how one's life should be lived which changes between cultures as living style varies
• Statistical infrequency Defines abnormality as behaviour that is statistically very rare e.g OCD affects 2-3% of the population. I.e if behaviour that is common is considered normal then behaviour that is uncommon can be considered abnormal.
• (-) Some abnormal behaviour is desirable. This definition overlooks the fact that some behaviours are positive and some are negative but both may be statistically infrequent
• Ideal mental health establishes what psychologically healthy individuals look like and then use this to identify individuals with absences of these behaviours.
• Jahoda identified 6 characteristics that an individual should display if they have an ideal mental health
• Jahoda- Positive self attitude - self esteem
• Jahoda- Self actualisation - personal growth and achieving goals
• Jahoda- Autonomy - ability to act independently
• Jahoda- Integration - coping with stress
• Jahoda- accurate perception of reality - having a realistic view of the world
• Environmental mastery - meeting the demand of the environment/ situation you are in
• (-) The concept of ideal mental health may vary between cultures E.g individualistic cultures emphasise personal control and individuals needs, therefore jahoda's criteria are more applicable to these cultures as they focus on the person themself e.g self actualisation
• jahoda (-) = Whereas collectivist cultures focus more on the group's needs rather than the individuals. I.e they strive for the greater good of the community rather than themselves and so criteria e.g self actualisation may not be applicable.
• Jahoda (-)= This means what is considered ideal mental health may be different across cultures and so identifying abnormality is partly subjective.
• (+) It is a positive approach to defining abnormality Because it looks at desirable behaviours rather than undesirable behaviours. Therefore giving the person personal goals to strive for to achieve an ideal mental health