Definitions of abnormality

• Statistical Infrequency definition and example


  according to the number of times we observe a behaviour the more normal the behaviour becomes.

  Infrequent behaviours are seen as abnormal.

  Example: easily measured such as Intelligance. Average IQ is 100 which most people will score. Fewer people scoring significantly higher or lower than the average and if people do they are considered to be abnormal.
• Statistical Infrequency Evaluation 


  -Statistical Infrequent behaviours can be desirable: IQ scores are over 130 are just as unusual as lower IQ scores of 70. However, having a low IQ is less desirable than having a high IQ. People who have low IQ may be diagnosed with Intellectual disability disorder. People praise people with high IQ's.

  -Cut off point is subjective: when do you know when behaviour stops being normal and becomes abnormal. It differs from person to person.
• Failure to function inadequately - definition and example


  when people can no longer cope with everyday life. They fail to maintain basic standards of hygiene, nutrition, get a job or maintain a good relationship.

  Example: WHODAS is an assessment of ability to function. Individual rates each item on assessment scale 1-5 and then given an overall score of 180.
• Failure to function adequately - Evaluation 


  +take into account what the patient feels: takes account subjective experience of the individual.

  -Exceptions to the rules: most of us fail to function inadequately from time to time.

  -some people with mental disorders can appear to function adequately: the disorder an individual has may not prevent a person from functioning adequately.
• Deviation from social norms - definition and example


  Social norms are society's approved and expected ways of behaving. Abnormal behaviour can be seen as behaviour which deviates from social norms.

  Example: anti-social personality disorder as usually impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible.
• Deviation from social norms - Evaluation

  -can lead to abuse of human rights: people of minority ethnic groups were diagnosed but was to maintain control over them.

  -Cultural relativism: social norms vary from one generation to another and can vary from one community or culture to another.

  -Deviance is related to context: judgement about whether someone deviates from the social norms of society is dependent on the context of bahaviour.
• Deviation from ideal mental health - definition 


  Turns the traditional approach of abnormality looking at positives rather than negatives was put forward by Marie Jahoda.

  Six major criteria:

  Self actualisation, maintain autonomy(so can be stable), maintain self-respect, be resistant to stress, should have accurate perceptions of reality and be competent in all areas of life.
• Deviation from ideal mental health - Evaluation

  +possible benefits to stress: some people work better and more efficiently in moderately stressful situations.

  -difficulty to self actualise: very few people achieve their full potential in life and is difficult/subjective to when a person has reached it.

  -Cultural issues: based on western ideals of self-fulfilment and individuality. In other cultures, elders in the family usually plan the young persons future for them and they have to follow it.