BES 31412 Normality VS Abnormality

Normality

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

Normality

Patterns of behavior or traits that are typical or that conform to some standard of proper and acceptable ways of behaving and being.

Normality

The successful performance of mental functions in terms of thought, mood and behavior that results in productive activities and the ability to change and to cope with adversity.

Socio-Cultural Approach, Functional Approach, Historical Approach, Situational Approach, Medical Approach, Statistical Approach

What are the 6 different approaches for describing Normality and Abnormality?

Socio-Cultural Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Thoughts, feelings and behavior that are appropriate or acceptable in a particular society or culture are viewed as normal and those that are inappropriate or unacceptable are abnormal.

Socio-Cultural Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Considers whether behavior is typical according to the cultural values and beliefs of a particular society – whether the behavior fits in the norms of that society.

Socio-Cultural Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

E.g. In some cultures, crying and wailing at the funeral of a stranger is expected and considered normal , whereas in other cultures that is abnormal.

Historical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

What is considered normal and abnormal in a particular society or culture depends on the era or period of time when the judgment is made.

Historical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

This approach to defining to normality depends on the period of time century or era which the judgment is made.

Historical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

E.g. Prior to 20th century, if a parent smacked their child for misbehaving, few people would consider this normal but in todays world such behavior would be considered abnormal and perhaps, illegal.

Situational Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Within a society or culture, thoughts, feelings and behavior that may be considered normal in one situation may be considered abnormal in another.

Situational Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

This approach refers to the social situation/ behavioral setting or general circumstances in which the behavior occurs.

Situational Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

E.g. If you were to come to school wearing pajamas most of your friends would think that was abnormal, however it is considered normal to wear pj’s during a slumber party.

Medical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Abnormal thoughts, feelings or behavior are viewed as having an underlying biological cause and can usually be diagnosed and treated.

Medical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

According to ______ approach, an individual is considered normal if they are physically healthy while abnormality is determined by having an illness that has an underlying physical cause.

Medical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

E.g. Someone who is colour blind would not be considered as normal . Neither would someone with common cold.

Statistical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Any behavior or characteristic in a large group of individuals is distributed in a particular way that is in a normal distribution.

Statistical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

This approach defines normality based on the experiences and behaviors of the statistical majority. Generally, if a large no of people called STATISTICAL AVERAGE, think , feel or act in a certain way, it is considered normal.

Statistical Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

E.g. It is normal to laugh when tickled because most people do but to laugh when someone dies would be abnormal bec not many people would do this.

Functional Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Thoughts, feelings and behavior are viewed as normal if the individual is able to cope with living independently in society but considered abnormal if the individual is unable to function effectively in society.

Functional Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

Normality is defined by the level of one’s ability to interact and involve onself in society.

Functional Approach

6 Different Approaches for Describing Normality and Abnormality

E.g. Being able to feed and clothe oneself , find a job , make friends is normal but being so lethargic that you cannot go out of bed , cannot eat properly and cannot find a job is abnormal

Normality as Health

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

• A traditional approach to health and illness by physicians and health-allied professionals.

• Equate normality with health and view health as a universal phenomenon.

Normality as Health

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

Behavior is within normal limits when no psychopathology is present.

Normality as Health

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

• Normality encompasses major portion of continuum and abnormality would be the small remainder.

• A healthy person is free of undue pain, discomfort and disability.

Normality as Utopia

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

• Harmonious and optimal blending of the diverse elements that culminates in optimal functioning.

• This approach can be traced back to Freud, who stated that, “A normal ego is like normality in general, an ideal fiction.”

Normality as Utopia

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

In this model, highlighted in defining normality is on ‘optimal functioning’ responsibility for personal and social work.

Normality as Average

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

• Based on the mathematical principles of the bell-shaped curve.

• Approach considers the middle range normal and both extremes deviant.

Normality as Average

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

Variability is described only within the context of groups not within the context of individual

Normality as Process

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

Normal behavior is the end result of interacting systems. This perspective stresses changes or processes rather than a cross-sectional definition of normality.

Normality as Process

4 Functional Perspectives of Normality

• Temporal changes are essential to a complete definition of normality.

• Ex. Erik Erikson’s conceptualization of personality development and the developmental stages essential in attaining of mature adult functioning.

Functional Perspectives of Normality

Thoughts, feelings and behavior are viewed as normal if the individual is able to cope with living independently in society but considered abnormal if the individual is unable to function effectively in society.

Functional Perspectives of Normality

Defines normality by the level of one’s ability to interact and involve oneself in society.

Deviance, Dysfunction, Distress, Danger

What are the 4 D’s of Abnormality?

Deviance

4 D’s of Abnormality

Which D is this?

• Abnormal behavior, thoughts and emotions are those differ markedly or vary from a society’s ideas about proper functioning that can reasonably or legally be considered inappropriate or unacceptable

• Behavior, thoughts and emotions that break norms of psychological functioning.

Deviance from Cultural Norms, Deviance from Statistical Norms

Two types of Deviance

Deviance from Cultural Norms

Types of Deviance

• Away from the normally accepted behaviors by a particular society. The behaviors which violates social norms or expectations might be considered as abnormal.

• Social norms varies a lot across cultures and ethnic groups. A behavior which is acceptable or normal in one culture or in an ethnic group may be unaccepted or abnormal in another.

Deviance from Cultural Norms

Types of Deviance

• Ex. Homosexuality and homosexual marriages. They are culturally accepted in many Western countries now. Although, they are culturally unacceptable and considered abnormal in Pakistan as well as in many Muslim countries.

• Similarly, marrying at a young age, i.e., age 16 or 18, is considered normal in Pakistani society, but it’s considered abnormal in Western culture.

Deviance from Statistical Norms

Types of Deviance

This type of Deviance means different from the majority. It means a behavior is abnormal if it occurs infrequently among the members of a society or culture.

Deviance from Statistical Norms

Types of Deviance

• Ex. If a person starts telling jokes in a funeral ceremony will be considered abnormal because he is acting weird as compared to other members in that particular situation. Telling jokes in a funeral is an unacceptable behavior.

Deviance from Statistical Norms

Types of Deviance

Some other example of ______ behaviors that are considered abnormal in each and every culture are suicidal bombing, terrorism, murder, robbery, or any illegal act that disturbs the society.

Distress

4 D’s of Abnormality

• According to many clinical theorists, behavior, ideas or emotions usually have to cause ________ before they can be labeled ABNORMAL.

• These symptoms are upsetting and unpleasant to the person experiencing them and/or others around them.

Distress

4 D’s of Abnormality

This is when the individual showing any behavior is extremely upset. In other words, the abnormal behaviors are those that lead to personal distress, anxiety, insomnia, various pains and aches or emotional upset.

Distress

4 D’s of Abnormality

Ex. A young boy or girl is grieving over the loss of both parents in an airplane accident or an earthquake disaster as no one will support him/her now.

The distressing effects such as endless crying, difficulty in sleeping, agitation, anxiety, loss of appetite or feelings of pain remain for so long that it becomes a psychological disorder, and considered

Dysfunction

4 D’s of Abnormality

• Abnormal behavior tends to be dysfunctional that is , it interferes with daily functioning.

• It distracts people that they cannot care for themselves properly, participate in ordinary social interactions or work productively.

Dysfunction

4 D’s of Abnormality

• It interferes with the person’s ability to carry out their usual daily tasks in an effective way.

• cognitive, emotional and behavioral breakdown. It’s an inability to perform daily functioning or everyday activities. In other words, a behavior is considered abnormal if it impairs functionality.

Dysfunction

4 D’s of Abnormality

• Ex. In severe depression, a person feels so isolated and grieved that he withdraws himself from daily activities and stops communicating with his family and friends. Moreover, he doesn’t like to eat as well. He limits himself in his room. He continues to spend his days staring blankly at the television screen. This behavior considered to be maladaptive or abnormal.

Dysfunction

4 D’s of Abnormality

• In western cultures, many people drink alcohol, but when drinking interferes with social and/or professional life it can be considered maladaptive. As we all know the adverse effects of alcohol, when taken in huge amount, how it disrupts one’s thinking, emotions and behavior.

Danger

4 D’s of Abnormality

• Becomes dangerous to oneself or others is the ultimate in psychological dysfunctioning.

• Individuals whose behavior is consistently careless, hostile or confused maybe placing themselves or those around them at risk.

Danger

4 D’s of Abnormality

• However, this variable doesnt occur in every case of abnormality, as many psychological pathologies dont result in suicide or homicide. Though its an exception instead of a rule, any threat to kill or harm ones self or others is definitely a vivid red flag.

• Dangerous or violent behaviors directed at oneself or others are abnormal.

Danger

4 D’s of Abnormality

Example

• A person trying to commit suicide is deemed to be abnormal. Similarly, if an aggressive person tries to cut or harm himself with a knife or attack someone else with it is also considered to be abnormal.

Thomas Szasz

Criticisms on Mental Health

This American psychiatrist challenged mental health practice perhaps more than any other American psychiatrist in the decades after World War 2.

In particular, he promoted doubts about whether mental illness existed at all with his publication of The Myth of Mental Illness in 1961 and The Manufacture of Madness: A Comparative Study of the Inquisition and the Mental Health Movement in 1970, along with many other writings, lectures, and public appearances.

Thomas Szasz

Criticisms on Mental Health

Best known for his view that without a diagnosis of neurological disease or damage, a psychiatric diagnosis was meaningless. He argued that for most people categorized as mentally ill, a more appropriate classification of their behavior would be “problems in living.”

His unyielding critique of psychiatry helped to alter the trajectory of the field. In the second half of the 20th century many psychiatrists began to rethink their rationale for disease nosology and to more aggressively search for the underlying biochemical, genetic, and physiological bases of mental health disorders—a strategy bearing fruit today.