Definitions of Abnormality

Relatively usual behaviour can be defined as "normal", whereas unusual behaviour can be defined as "abnormal." E.g. 2% of people have an IQ of under 70, making them statistically infrequent, and causing a reason for a diagnosis of IDD

Statistical Infrequency

Relatively usual behaviour can be defined as "normal", whereas unusual behaviour can be defined as "abnormal." E.g. 2% of people have an IQ of under 70, making them statistically infrequent, and causing a reason for a diagnosis of IDD

Deviation from Social Norms

A person behaves differently from what one would suspect, but social norms are different in different cultures, so behaviour deemed “abnormal” varies. E.g. Antisocial personality disorder → absence of prosocial internal standards leading to a lack of conformity with lawful/culturally normative behaviour

Statistical Infrequency Strength

Usefulness: used in clinical practice as a part of the diagnosis process & to test severity of symptoms. E.g. Beck’s Depression Inventory → a score of 30+ (top 5% respondents) indicated severe depression.

Statistical Infrequency Weakness

Infrequent characteristics can be positive: People with IQs above 130 are not seen as “psychologically abnormal” despite their infrequent nature. It can therefore never be sufficient for defining abnormality.

Social Norms Strength

Usefulness: It’s used in clinical practice, as people with antisocial personality disorder are diagnosed due to their failure to culturally acceptable, ethical behaviour (e.g. aggressiveness.)

Social Norms Weakness:

Cultural/Situational Relativism: Social norms vary between different cultures and one person from a specific culture may deem a person from a different culture group as “abnormal” by their own standards, rather than the other person’s. E.g. hearing voices may be highly spiritual in one culture, but in the UK it would be seemed as abnormal.

Failure to Function Adequately

A person can no longer cope with the demands of every day life. Defined by: Personal distress, maladaptive behaviour, irrationality, unpredictability, observer discomfort, violation of moral standards & unconventionality. E.g. Intellectual Disability Disorder (statistical infrequncy + FFA for diagnosis)

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

If a person does not fit the criteria for ideal mental health, then they may be considered abnormal. The criteria: positive attitude towards the self, self-actualisation, resistance to stress, personal autonomy, accurate perception of reality & environmental mastery.

FFA Strength

Threshold for help: Represents sensible threshold for when people need professional help. A lot of people experience symptoms of mental disorders, but those symptoms only become concerning when they inhibit daily life.

FFA Weakness

Discrimination & Social Control: It is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal, so it’s hard to determine whether someone is actually failing to function, or is making an active choice to deviate from social norms. (E.g. living off the grid.)

DIMH Strength

Highly comprehensive: It is easy to distinguish mental health from mental disorder & covers the reasons one may be referred to/seek professional help. It provides a check-list that we can assess our mental health against & in turn discuss issues with a range of professionals.

DIMH Weakness

Culture-bound: Some of the criteria are firmly located in the context of the US and European standards. E.g. self-actualisation would be dismissed as self-indulgent in many parts of the world. Also, what defines success in working, love and social lives differ across cultures.