Definitions of Abnormality

Why are there four different definitions of abnormality?

Psychology aims to support all people with their wellbeing and daily living.

What is statistical infrequency?

• defines abnormal behaviour using statistical measures

• A behaviour is regarded as abnormal if it is statistically uncommon/rare in that it is not present often or regularly per society

• Many human characteristics can be measured and plotted on a normal distribution

• A person whose measured characteristic falls at either end of the distribution (2 S.D. above or below the mean) can be considered abnormal

What are some examples of statistical infrequency?

• IQ

• mood

• height

• weight

All can be lower or higher than the ‘average’ range.

Evaluation of statistical infrequency: Does not recognise many known disorders

where behaviours and symptoms are noticeable, but not measurable (e.g. delusions or hallucinations).

• Statistical infrequency would not recognise depression as abnormal behaviour

• Depression is estimated to affect around 280 million people across the world at any given time

• the high prevalence rate of depression means that it is not statistically deviant

• if depression is not statistically deviant then SI is not a fully valid measure of abnormality

Evaluation of statistical infrequency: standardised tool

• applying statistical infrequency as a measure includes the use of a standardised tool which means that the measure has built-in reliability

• Standardised measures are replicable i.e. they can be applied repeatedly to analyse data sets

• Replicability means that large data sets can be included in the calculation

• The larger the data set, the less likely it is to be affected by outliers/anomalous results thus consistent patterns/trends are highlighted and consistency = reliability

Evaluationof statistical infrequency: : cultural relativism

Characteristics of behaviour are specific to each culture.

- Defining abnormal characteristics and generalising across cultures could cause an ethnocentric bias (by imposing an etic). This could misrepresent other cultures. This is a weakness of all of the definitions. - Defining abnormality would be best left as culturally relative.

- E.g. Statistics (average heights)

- E.g Social norms

- E.g. daily living activities

- E.g. mental health characteristic

Independence is seen as abnormal in collectivist societies (so *this definition cannot be generalised to these cultures).

Also mental health criteria vary across cultures –certain phobias are only recognised in certain cultures, e.g. Koro phobia (in S.E. Asia)

What is Deviation from Social Norms?

• Society sets norms and values (both written and unwritten)

• Any behaviour that deviates from these norms is considered abnormal

What are examples of Deviation from Social Norms?

• Cannibalism 

• crying all day

Evaluation: Deviation from Social Norms: real world application

• DIMH is a positive measure of abnormality and has useful real world application

• This measure can be used as the basis for therapy and treatments with its emphasis on the whole person and on positive mental health and wellbeing

• can be used in clinical practice e.g. to define characteristics of antisocial personality disorder (e.g. failing to conform to culturally normal ethical behaviour e.g. recklessness, deceitfulness), depression, anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, schizotypal personality disorders, tourettes, etc.

Evaluation: Deviation from Social Norms: change over time

Although this definition allows for age and situation dependent behaviour, the changes in legislation mean that norms vary dependent on the time. This is sometimes hard to judge and means that there is a lack of consensus between generations. For example, homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness into the 1970s, whereas nowadays that is no longer the case.

What is the issue/ debate for deviation from social norms?

Characteristics of behaviour are specific to each culture.

- Defining abnormal characteristics and generalising across cultures could cause an ethnocentric bias (by imposing an etic). This could misrepresent other cultures. This is a weakness of all of the definitions. - Defining abnormality would be best left as culturally relative.

- E.g. Statistics (average heights)

- E.g Social norms

- E.g. daily living activities

- E.g. mental health characteristic

Independence is seen as abnormal in collectivist societies (so *this definition cannot be generalised to these cultures).

Also mental health criteria vary across cultures –certain phobias are only recognised in certain cultures, e.g. Koro phobia (in S.E. Asia)

What is the Failure to Function (Adequately)?

• When a person is unable to live a ‘normal’ day-to-day life

• Does not possess a ‘normal’ range of physical abilities, emotions or behaviours

• Engages in behaviours which disrupt their ability to work & form/maintain relationships

What characteristics are assessed to see if mental health is good?

• good personal hygiene

• regular eating habits

• attending work or school

• socialising with others 

What is Rosenhan and Seligmans checklist of Dysfunction?

1. Personal distress

2. Maladaptive behaviour (stops you achieving goals)

3. Unpredictable behaviour (doesn’t suit

circumstances)

4. Irrational behaviour (unexplainable)

5. Cause observer discomfort

6. Deviation from social norms and values

What is an example of personal distress?

Anxiety or depression

What’s is an example of maladaptive behaviour?

Evaluation of failure to function: abnormality is not always accompanied by obvious dysfunction.

E – Evidence:
Some individuals show severely abnormal behaviour yet appear to function normally in everyday life. For example, psychopathic offenders such as Harold Shipman or Fred and Rose West were able to maintain jobs, relationships and a seemingly typical lifestyle while secretly engaging in highly abnormal and harmful behaviours.

E – Explain:
This shows that people can present as outwardly “functional” despite having extreme psychological disturbances. Because of this, the definition may fail to identify individuals who are in fact abnormal, simply because they do not display the expected signs of dysfunction.

L – Link:
Therefore, the failure to function adequately definition lacks validity, as it cannot reliably distinguish between normal and abnormal behaviour in all cases, limiting its usefulness in diagnosing abnormality.

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Jahoda defines ‘normal’ mental health

characteristics.

Abnormality is seen as anything which deviates from these characteristics.

What is an example of deviations from ideal mental health?

Depression, hallucinations and anxiety

What is jahodas checklist of ideal mental health?

1. No symptoms of distress

2. Rational and accurate perception of the self

3. Can self actualise

4. Can cope with stress

5. Realistic view of the world

6. Good self-esteem

7. Independent of other people

8. Can successfully work, love and enjoy leisure

Evaluation of the deviation form ideal mental health definition: unrealistic

Over-demanding (unrealistic) criteria – most people can’t meet the demands of Jahoda’s checklist.

Plus it’s Jahoda’s subjective criteria