definitions of abnormalities

• 4 definitions of abnormality:

  • statistical infrequency
  • deviation from social norms
  • deviation from ideal mental health
  • failure to function adequately
• statistical infrequency:

  • usual behaviour or characteristic is thought as 'normal' and any unusual behaviour is 'abnormal'
  • most people have iq score between 70 and 130
  • only 5% have an iq below 70 or above 130
• EVALUATION: real world application to clinical practice

  • stat infrequency is used as part of formal diagnosis and way to assess severity of symptoms
  • diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder requires iq of <70 and score of 30+ on beck depression inventory indicates severe depression
  • value of stat infrequency in diagnostic and assessment
• EVALUATION: unusual characteristics can be positive

  • people with iq of >130 or low score on beck depression inventory would be classed as abnormal
  • we wouldnt consider these individuals abnormal - being on one end of the spectrum doesnt make someone abnormal
  • cant form parts of assessment and diagnostic - not sufficient on sole basis of defining abnormalities
• deviation from social norms:

  • behaviour is different from accepted standards of behaviour in society
  • norms are specific to culture we live in e.g homosexuality
  • antisocial personality disorder - lack of conscience and behave aggressively as they experience little to no guilt
• EVALUATION: cultural and situational relativism

  • one culture may label someone from another group as abnormal due to their standards
  • hearing voices is norm in some cultures (messages from ancestors) - sign of abnormality in UK
  • difficult to judge deviation from social norms across all cultures and situations
• EVALUATION: real world application to clinical practice

  • key defining traits of psychopathy is failure to conform to culturally normal ethical behaviour
  • can play a role in diagnosis of schizotypical personality disorder - 'strange' is used to characterise thinking, behaviour etc
  • value in psychiatry
• failure to function adequately:

  • someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living e.g hygiene
• Rosenham and Seligman proposed signs to determine failure to function:

  • no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g personal space
  • severe personal distress
  • irrational or dangerous behaviour
• EVALUATION: represents a threshold for help

  • most of us have symptoms of disorder to some degree at a time
  • tends to be a point that we cease to function adequately that some seek help or are referred
  • treatment and services can be targeted to those who need it most
• EVALUATION: discrimination and social control

  • difficult to say whether someone is failing to function or chosen a lifestyle that deviates from norms
  • not having a job or home address - some may choose to live off grid or favour high risk activities
  • people who make unusual choices can be seen as abnormal, freedom of choice = restricted
• deviation from ideal mental health:

  • someone doesnt meet a set of criteria for good mental health (Jahoda) e.g realistic view of world, good self esteem, independent of other people, no symptoms of distress
• EVALUATION: comprehensive definition

  • jahoda's concept of ideal mental health includes a range of criteria - covers most reasons we seek help
  • mental health can be discussed meaningfully - range of professionals, different theoretical values
  • provides a checklist - assess ourselves and discuss issues with professionals
• EVALUATION: extremely high standards

  • few attain the criteria - fewer achieve all or maintain them
  • most people experience stress at some point - students experiencing a degree of exam stress = abnormal
  • disheartening to see impossible set of standards - validity of definition is questioned meaning being abnormal is in fact normal