Definitions of abnormality

• Define deviation from social norms

  Behaviour is abnormal if it goes against what society would consider the norm
• Explain deviation from social norms

  Abnormal behaviour is breaking society's unwritten rules, beliefs and values about how you should typically believe. It can be explicit or unwritten and implicit. Atypical behaviour which goes against social norms is considered deviant as it isn't the expected behaviour
• Apply 'deviation from social norms' to OCD

  Society has an unwritten rule that it is unacceptable to engage in behaviour which is repetitive or ritualistic. Typical behaviour does not involve checking things several times as once is sufficient.
• Apply 'deviation from social norms' to depression

  Society has an unwritten rule that it is unacceptable to have a persistent low mood. Typical behaviour does not involve insomnia or a lack of appetite
• Apply 'deviation from social norms' to phobias

  Society has an unwritten rule that it is unacceptable to avoid situations which aren't harmful. Typical behaviour does not involve refusing to attend events.
• What are the limitations of 'deviation from social norms'?

  Culturally relative

  Era dependent

  Context dependent
• Define failure to function adequately

  Behaviour is abnormal if it prevents a person from leading a normal, everyday life and coping with everyday activities. This causes the individual personal stress ad discomfort because of their failure to cope
• Explain failure to function adequately

  Rosenhan and Seligman argue behaviour is abnormal if it becomes:

  • Maladaptive
  • Irrational
  • Causes the observer discomfort
  • Unpredictable
• Apply 'failure to function adequately' to OCD

  A compulsive handwasher may scrub the skin off their hands through excessive hand washing. This creates observer discomfort as it may make others squeamish
• Apply 'failure to function adequately' to depression

  The person could be self-loathing and suicidal which is seen as irrational if the person appears to be successful and happy.
• Apply 'failure to function adequately' to phobias

  An individual could freeze or panic in front of their phobic object/situation. This could be maladaptive as it could prevent them from leaving their house.
• What are the limitations of 'failure to function adequately'

  Based on subjective judgments

  Culturally relative

  Not a defining feature of abnormality
• Define deviation from ideal mental health

  Behaviour is abnormal if it lacks the signs of what people consider to be ideal mental health. It is the absence of particular characteristics
• Explain deviation from ideal mental health

  Jahoda proposed 6 characteristics of optimal living. She said abnormal behaviour is defined as the absence of any of the characteristics:

  • Self actualisation
  • Positive attitude towards self
  • Accurate perception of reality
  • Resistance to stress
  • Environmental mastery
  • Autonomy
• Apply 'deviation from ideal mental health' to OCD

  Criteria failed is an accurate perception of reality as obsessions are irrational
• Apply 'deviation from ideal mental health' to depression

  Criteria failed is a positive attitude toward self as depression is characterised as having low self esteem and worthlessness
• Apply 'deviation from ideal mental health' to phobias

  Criteria failed is environmental mastery as having anxiety and panic in the presence of things means they cannot thrive in all aspects of life
• What is a strength of 'deviation from ideal mental health'?

  This definition takes a positive approach to behaviour
• What are the limitations of 'deviation from ideal mental health'?

  Based on subjective judgements

  Criteria is unrealistic
• Define statistical infrequency

  Behaviour is abnormal if it is considered rare or uncommon in the general population, or it is not seen very often in society
• Explain statistical infrequency

  The minority are classed as abnormal found at the tail ends of the distribution

  Scores achieved by the top or bottom 2% of the population are considered to be statistically infrequent and therefore, abnormal

  Abnormal scores are more than 2 standard deviations away from the mean
• Apply 'statistical infrequency' to OCD

  Approximately 0.5% of US adults are classified as having severe OCD. Therefore, a minority of people suffer from OCD, making it rare and so, abnormal
• Apply 'statistical infrequency' to phobias

  Approximately 1.9% of US adults are classified as having severe specific phobias. Therefore, a minority of people suffer from a phobia, making it rare and so, abnormal
• What is a strength of statistical infrequency?

  More objective
• What are the limitations of statistical infrequency?

  Not a defining feature of abnormality

  Era dependent