1. Defining Abnormality

• Defining Abnormality - Statistical Infrequency

  Abnormal/numerically rare behaviour.

  • Quantity behaviour measured in standard deviations from the mean (2 s.d.).
  • Behaviour = less than 2.5% of population.
  • E.g. average IQ is 100; 2% have IQ below 70 = ‘intellectual disability disorder’.
• Defining Abnormality - Deviation from Social Norms

  Behaviour different from accepted standards.

  • Abnormality defined by what group deems the norm.
  • Homosexuality once abnormal - DSM I (paraphilia), continued to be ‘abnormal’ under DSM II + III, until it was finally dropped.
  • 2019 Brunei, new laws making homosexuality offence, punishable by death.
• Defining Abnormality - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

  Not meeting criteria for good MH; psychologically healthy examples…

  • No distress.
  • Self-actualisation.
  • Independence.
  • Realistic world-view.
• Defining Abnormality - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health pt2.

  Criteria - Jahoda (1958):

  • Positive self-attitude.
  • Self actualisation (growth/development).
  • Autonomy (independence).
  • Accurate Perception of Reality.
  • Environmental Mastery (adapting).
  • Resisting Stress.
• Defining Abnormality - Failure to Function Adequately

  Unable cope w/ basic demands everyday life; can’t maintain nutrition/hygiene, jobs, relationships.

  Rosenhan + Seligman (1989):

  • Maladaptiveness (danger to self).
  • Vividness/Unconventionality.
  • Unpredictability.
  • Irrationality.
  • Observer Discomfort.
  • Violates Social Standards.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Strength - Statistical Infrequency:

  P - real-life/practical application.

  E - clinical practice (formal diagnosis + assessment process); support services.

  E - diagnosis intellectual disability needs IQ of below 70 (2%); assessment = Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), score of 30+ = depression.

  L - value of statistical infrequency in diagnosis/assessment process.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Limitation - Statistical Infrequency:

  P - infrequent characteristics can be positive too.

  E - every person w/ IQ of 70, there’s one over 130; yet they’re not abnormal.

  E - same for people who score low on BDI.

  L - statistical infrequency not enough to define abnormality.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Strength - Deviation from Social Norms:

  P - real-life/practical application.

  E - clinical practice, e.g. characteristics of antisocial personality disorder = failure to conform to ‘normal’ behaviour (e.g. aggression).

  E - such norms play into diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder, where ‘strange’ characterises thinking behaviour.

  L - deviation from social norms criterion value in psychiatry.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Limitation - Deviation from Social Norms:

  P - variability between social norms in diff culture/situations.

  E - cultural group labels someone from another culture abnormal using their standards.

  E - e.g. hearing voices is norm in some cultures, abnormal in UK.

  L - difficult to judge from social norms across diff cultures/situations, lack cultural generalisability.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Strength - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  P - criterion highly comprehensive.

  E - Jahoda’s (1958) criteria, range distinguishes MH from illness, covers why seek/refer help.

  E - can be discusses w/ range of professionals, meaning real-life/practical application.

  L - checklist for assessment + discuss psychological issues w/ professionals.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Limitation - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  P - diff elements not equally applicable across all cultures; lack generalisability.

  E - USA/Western Europe.

  E - even within Europe bit of variation in value places on personal independence; high in Germany, low in Italy.

  L - success in work/social lives differ in cultures, meaning hard to apply concept of ideal MH from one culture to another.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Strength - Failure to Function Adequately:

  P - sensible threshold for when need professional help.

  E - MH charity, ‘Mind’, 25% experience MH problem.

  E - tends to be point cease function adequately people seek professional help (or referred).

  L - criterion means treatment/services target those in need.
• Defining Abnormality (Evaluation)

  Limitation - Failure to Function Adequately:

  P - easy label non-standard choices abnormal.

  E - e.g. not having job or living ‘off-grid’, or those favouring high-risk activities.

  E - classed, unfairly, as irrational or danger to self.

  L - labelled abnormal so freedom restricted.