Definition of abnormality

• Definitions of abnormality

  1. Statistical infrequency
  2. deviation from social norms
  3. failure to function adequately
  4. deviation from ideal mental health
• Statistical infrequency

  The most obvious way to define anything as 'normal' or 'abnormal' is in terms of the number of times it is observed. Therefore, we can define abnormality in terms of statistics.

  Any behaviour that is different or rare can be seen as 'abnormal'.

  An example of this is intellectual disability disorder. The average IQ is 100. Most people have an IQ between 85 and 115, only 2% have a score below 70. Those individuals scoring below 70 are statistically unusual or 'abnormal' and are diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder.
• Deviation from social norms

  When a person behaves in a way that is differeny 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 circumstance.

  There are relatively few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal therefore definitions are related to cultural context. For example, homosexuality is viewed as abnormal in certain cultures.

  Example is antisocial personality disorder. One important symptom is a failure to conform to cultural norms or standards.
• Failure to function adequately

  A person may cross the line betwen normal and abnormal when they cannot deal with the demands of everyday living. For example not being able to maintain basic standard like hygiene.

  Rosenhan and Sleigman stated when someone is not coping they :

  • no longer conform to interpersonal rules
  • experience severe personal distress
  • behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous

  Example is intellectual disability disorder. Having a very low IQ is a statistical infrequency. There would be clear signs that the person is not able to cope with everyday living
• Deviation from ideal mental health

  A different way to look at normality and abnormality is to think about what makes someone normal and psychologically healthy.

  Jahoda listed 8 criteria for ideal mental health :

  1. No symptoms of distress
  2. Rational and percieve ourselves accurately
  3. Self-actualise
  4. Cope with stress
  5. Realistic view of the world
  6. Good self esteem and lack guilt
  7. Independent
  8. Successfully work, love and enjoy leisure

  Someones inability to keep a job may be a sign of failure to cope or as a deviation from ideal of successful working
• Evaluation

  One strength of statistical infrequency is its real world application. Statistical infrequency is useful in diagnosis, e.g. statistical disability disorder because this requires an IQ in the bottom 2%. It is also helpful in assessing a range of conditions. This means that statistical infrequency is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes.
• Evaluation

  One limitation of statistical infrequency is benefit versus costs. When someone is living a happy and fulfilled life, there is no benefit to them being labelled abnormal. However, the label of abnormality like intellectual disability disorder may carry a social stigma. This means that labelling someone abnormal just because they are statistically unusual is likely to do more harm than good.
• Evaluation

  One strength of deviation from social norms is its real world application. It is useful in the diagnosis of antisocial personalty disorder as this requires failure to conform to ethical standards. It is also helpful in diagnosing schizotypal personality disorder which involves 'strange' beliefs and behaviour. This means that deviation from social norms is useful in psychiatric diagnosis.
• Evaluation

  One limitation of deviation from social norms is that social norms are situationally and culturally relative. A person from one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal using their standards rather than the person's standards. For example, in some cultures hearing voices is socially acceptable whereas this would be a sign of abnormality in the UK. This means it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms from one context to another.
• Evaluation

  One strength of failure to function is as a threshold for professional help. In any given year, 25% of us experience symptoms of mental disorder to some degree. Most of the time we press on, but when we cease to function adequately people seek or are referred for professional help. This means that the failure to function criterion provides a way to target treatment and services to them who need it most.
• Evaluation

  One limitation is failure to function can lead to discrimination and social control. It is hard to distinguish between failure to function and a conscious effort decision to deviate from social norms. For example, people may choose to live off the grid as part of an alternative way of living or take part in high risk leisure activities. This means that people who make unusual decisions can be labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice restricted.
• Evaluation

  One strength of ideal mental health is being comprehensive. Ideal mental health includes a range of criteria for mental health. It covers most of the reasons why we might need help with mental health. This means that mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of professionals like a psychiatrist or CBT therapy. Therefore ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others.
• Evaluation

  One limitation of ideal mental health is it has extremely high standards. Few of us attain all Jahoda's criteria for mental health, and none of us maintain them for long. An impossible set of standards can be disheartening. On the other hand, having such comprehensive criteria for mental health might be of value to someone wanting to improve their mental health. This means that a set of comprehensive criteria for ideal mental health may be helpful for some but not others.