definitions of abnormality

• statistical infrequency

  A persons trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual compared to the norm.
• one limitation is that the definition doesnt really distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour. For example, depression is considered an undesirable behaviour and would be considered abnormal under the failure to function adequately definition, but under SI it is considered normal because on average it effects a large number of people. this means we need a way of identifying behaviours that are both infrequent and undesirable.
• Another issue is that the cut-off points are random. It has been decided where to separate normality from abnormality. For example, a criteria for depression is difficulty sleeping but what is abnormal sleep. Someone has to make a judgement and this would be subjective and therefore have some disagreement.
• Another problem is there is no consideration of cultural differences as it assumes that the population of the world can be described by the same universal normal distribution. There are variations between cultures which is not counted for in the definition of SI. This ultimately means that abnormality could be widespread in one culture because of its comparison with the rest of the world.
• deviations from social norms

  Society sets unwritten rules and every society/culture has standards of acceptable behaviour or norms. Behaviour that deviates from these norms is considered abnormal, they are behaving differently from how we expect them to behave. Social rules are approved by the majority of the society members.
• Implicit: unwritten rules

  Explicit : written rules based off laws
• one limitation with DSN is that social norms change over time. For example some norms have changed from being acceptable to non acceptable such as smoking in public. This means that this is only based on prevailing social morals and attitudes at that time in society. Therefore, it does not provide an absolute definition of abnormality but is era dependent.
• Another limitation is that whether a behaviour does deviate from social norms does depend on the context and the degree of the behaviour. For example wearing a swimming costume on a beach is considered normal whereas wearing it in town is abnormal. Therefore it is the context of the behaviour that determines if it DSN.

  This means it cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality and may need to be used alongside another definition
• another limitation with DSN is cultural relativism as it can onl be determined when viewed in a cultural context regardless of behaviour. It has been argued that social norms are most likely to reflect the white middle class values of those working in psychology. This may lead to culturally biased diagnosis if the criteria are applied to individuals from other cultures. This also means that DSN does not provide culturally universal standards or rules for labelling behaviours as abnormal.
• failure to function adequately defined by Rosenhan et al is the inability to cope with everyday living. Abnormal behaviour is judged in terms of being able to function adequately with everyday living.
• There are various indicators, the greater the number of these indicators a person has the more likely they are to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder and therefore labelled as abnormal. They are maladaptiveness of behaviour and personal distress
• one limitation of the FFA definition is that failure to function does not always indicate the presence of a psychological abnormality. For example, someone who loses their job would not be able to get up and go to work. This may cause personal distress but it does not indicate an abnormality. This is a limitation as environmental factors may cause failure to function rather than any psychological abnormality and this therefore questions the validity of using this definition to identify abnormality.
• one strength of this definition is that it does recognise the subjective experience of the patient. For example the criteria of personal distress allows the sufferer to give a personal insight into their experience. Unlike the other definitions this allows us to view mental disorders from the point of view of the person experiencing it. This allows for a more valid definition of abnormality.
• Their is some debate over where FFA is easy to judge objectivity. There do exist several criteria lists that can be used such as WHODAS. However, it is true to say that the burden of decision will fall upon the psychologist who would have in some way a subjective view. Despite standardised diagnosis tools some degree of subjectivity is required to disagree with FFA.
• deviation from ideal mental health is proposed by Jahoda and identified various factors that were necessary for optimal living. The presence of these factors indicates psychological health and well being. Absence of these indicate illness. There are six elements positive view of self, self actualisation, autonomy, accurate view of reality, resistance to stress and master of your own environment.
• Positive view of self=well adjusted individuals have high self esteem and self acceptance.

  Self actualisation= refers to developing talents

  Autonomy= ability to act independently

  Accurate view of reality= seeing the world as it really is without distraction

  resistance to stress= should not feel any stress and able to handle it

  Master of your own environment= normal people can meet demands within different environments.
• this definition is problematic as the characteristics of ideal mental health are seen as far too idealistic. Evidence domes from Maslow who argued that only a few people ever achieve self actualisation and so the criteria is set too high. This is a strength as it will highlight potential issues with individuals and may motivate them to seek support in order to improve their quality of life, but also a limitation as the majority of people would be defined as abnormal therefore making it an ineffective definition
• it is a positive approach. Instead on the focusing on the presence of undesirable characteristics if focused on the presence of desirable characteristics . This positive view mirrors the humanistic approach and accepts humans ability to always improve and find fulfilment. This is a strength as this original approach may make this definition a useful diagnostic tool in order to facilitate happiness and quality of life amognst individuals.
• the criteria used in DIMH definition are based off western culture and therefore the definition is ethnocentric. Individualistic cultures place their emphasis on personal achievement, whereas in collectivist cultures strive for the greater good of the community. Jahodas emphasis on personal growth would be considered self-indulgent in some parts of the world where family is prioritised. This is a limitation because it means that the definition should only be used in the culture in which it has been developed, is culturally biased.