Definitions of abnormality

• Statistical infrequency

  Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic

  E.g. IQ- normal distribution graph shows average IQ is 100 w/ 68% 85-115 (2%<70- intellectual disability disorder)
• Statistical Infrequency-evaluation

  Real life application- useful part of clinical assessment (intellectual disability disorder)

  Unusual characteristics can be positive- 130+ unusual as 70 but considered desirable. abnormal but doesn't need treatment.

  Most don't benefit from a label- low IQ but not distressed, capable of working. Diagnosis=label=negative affect on how others view them
• Deviation from social norms

  Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society.

  Norms are specific to culture and generation e.g. homosexuality- illegal in UK until 1973. 78 countries still have laws.
• Deviation from social norms- evaluation

  Cultural relativism- social norms vary across cultures and generations (homosexuality). Makes it difficult to live in different cultural group.

  Can lead to human right abuses- diagnoses used in history to maintain control over minority ethnic groups and women
• Failure to function adequately

  Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living.

  E.g. not eating, showering or communicating.
• Failure to function adequately- evaluation

  Patient's perspective- sensitive to patients subjective experience.

  Is it simply a deviation from social norms?- Some people just have alternative lifestyles. E.g., Extreme sports seen as maladaptive. Treating behaviours as 'failures' of adequate functioning risks limiting personal freedom.

  Subjective judgements- who decides if patient is abnormal? Patient may say their distressed but be judged as not suffering
• Deviation from ideal mental health

  Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health.

  Jahoda (1958)

  • We have no symptoms or distress
  • We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
  • We self-actualise
  • We can cope with stress
  • We have a realistic view of the world
  • We have good self-esteem and lack guilt
  • We are independent of other people
  • We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
• Deviation from ideal mental health- evaluation

  It is a comprehensive definition- covers broad range of criteria why people would get help

  Cultural relativism- Ideas are Western. Collectivist cultures see independence as a bad thing.

  It sets unrealistically high standards for mental health- Very few of us attain all criteria- sees us all as abnormal. Positive- makes clear ways which people could benefit from treatment. Negative- no value in thinking about who would benefit from treatment against their will.