Definitions of abnormality I

• Statistical infrequency


  The most obvious way to define anything as 'normal' or 'abnormal' is in terms of the number of times it is observed.
• Statistical infrequency - behaviour that is rarely seen is 'abnormal'


  Any relatively 'usual', or often seen, behaviour can be thought of as 'normal'. Any behaviour that is different, or rare, is 'abnormal' - aka. a statistical infrequency.
• Statistical infrequency - an example: IQ and Intellectual Disability Disorder.


  IQ is normally distributed.

  The average IQ is 100, most people's range from 85-115 - only 2% score below 70.

  Those individuals that do are statistically abnormal and are diagnosed with IDD.
• Deviation from social norms - abnormality is based on social context.


  When a person behaves in a way that is different from how they are expected to behave they may be defined as abnormal.

  Societies and social groups make collective judgements about 'correct' behaviours in particular circumstances.
• Deviation from social norms - three types of consequences of behaviour.


  There are relatively few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal therefore definitions are related to cultural context.

  This also includes historical differences within the same society.

  For example, homosexuality is viewed as abnormal in some cultures but not others and was considered abnormal in our society in the past.
• Deviation from social norms - for example: Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)


  One important symptom of APD is a failure to conform to 'lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour'.

  A psychopath is abnormal because they deviate from social norms or standards. They generally lack empathy.
• Strength of statistical infrequency - has real life application.


  All assessment of patients with mental disorders includes some comparison to statistical norms. IDD demonstrated how statistical infrequency can be used practically. So it is a useful part of clinical assessment.
• Limitation of statistical infrequency - not everyone benefits from a label. 


  When someone is living a happy and fulfilled life, there is no benefit to them being labelled as abnormal. Someone with a very low IQ who was not distressed or out of work would not need a diagnosis of intellectual disability. Being labelled as abnormal might have a negative effect on the way others view them and the way they see themselves.
• Limitation of deviation from social norms - they are culturally relative.


  A person from one cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their standards rather than the person's standards. For example, hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be an abnormality in the UK. This creates problems for people from one culture living within a different cultural group.
• Limitation of deviation from social norms - it is not the sole explanation of abnormality. 


  APD shows there is a place for deviation from social norms in thinking about what is normal. However, there are other factors to consider, e.g. distress to other people due to APD. So in practice, deviation from social norms is never the sole reason for defining abnormality.