DP6 - Normality and Neurotypicality

What is normality and abnormality

Normality refers to patterns of behaviour that are typical and expected, or conform to standards of what is acceptable.

Abnormality refers to behaviours that are unusual, bizarre, atypical or out of the ordinary. They may deviate from societal norms and have the potential to cause distress to the individual or others.

What is neurotypicality

Neurotypicality refers to individuals whose brain functioning, processing and behaviours are considered typical.

Their cognitive skills, such as perception, learning, memory, reasoning, judgement and language, generally fall within the expected range for people of their age, sex and cultural background.

What is Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is the idea that every person has a unique nervous system with their own combination of abilities and needs.

A person whose brain development or functioning differs from what is considered typical may be described as neurodiverse.

What is adaptive behaviour

Adaptive behaviour enables a person to adjust to their environment appropriately and cope effectively.

It is helpful and allows a person to manage and complete their daily tasks effectively

What is maladaptive behaviour

Maladaptive behaviour interferes with a person's ability to adjust to their environment appropriately and effectively.

It is unhelpful, dysfunctional or non-productive and can indicate atypical development or contribute to the diagnosis of some mental or neurodevelopmental conditions.

Difference between adaptive and maladaptive responses

Adaptive: Helps a person cope, adjust and function effectively.

Maladaptive: Interferes with a person's ability to cope, adjust and function effectively.

Whether something is adaptive or maladaptive can depend on the situation and context.

What are emotions and why are they adaptive

Emotions are feelings that arise from our circumstances, mood or relationships with others.

Emotions have adaptive or evolutionary value because they help with survival, communication and expressing our needs. Both pleasant and unpleasant emotions can be adaptive.

When can emotions become maladaptive

Emotional responses can become maladaptive when they are:

• Very intense

• Overwhelming

• Occur frequently

• Inappropriate for the situation

• Persist for an extended period without interruption

Persistent emotions may indicate a mood or psychological disorder.

What are cognitions

Cognitions are cognitive processes or mental actions involved in acquiring, processing and understanding information or knowledge.

They include:

• Perception

• Memory

• Attention

• Pattern recognition

• Problem-solving

• Language

What are adaptive cognitions

Adaptive cognitions are ways of thinking that benefit a person's survival and wellbeing.

They help a person respond realistically and effectively to situations and learn from their experiences.

What are maladaptive cognitions

Maladaptive cognitions usually involve cognitive distortions or irrational, inflated thoughts or beliefs that distort a person's perception of reality, often negatively.

These thoughts can become automatic, meaning the person may not recognise that they are irrational or unfair

How are cognitions, emotions and behaviours connected

Thoughts, emotions and behaviours have a multidirectional relationship, meaning each can influence the others.

How we think can affect how we feel and behave, while what we do can also affect how we think and feel.

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is a psychological treatment that targets the relationship between maladaptive thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

It helps people identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, which can improve emotions and lead to changes in behaviour.

Howe does CBT work

CBT helps a person replace maladaptive thoughts with more realistic and helpful thoughts.

Changing thoughts can improve mood and motivation, which can then lead to more adaptive behaviours. The relationship works in multiple directions.

Why can the same response be adaptive or maladaptive

Whether a thought, emotion or behaviour is adaptive or maladaptive can depend on the context.

A response that is useful in one situation may be unhelpful in another, so the situation and its effects on functioning need to be considered.

Key differences between normality, neurotypicality and adaptive behaviour

Normality: Behaviour that is typical, expected or socially acceptable.

Neurotypicality: Brain functioning, processing and behaviour that fall within the typical range.

Adaptive: Thoughts, emotions or behaviours that help a person cope and function effectively.

Maladaptive: Thoughts, emotions or behaviours that interfere with effective coping and functioning.

Key idea: These concepts overlap, but they are not interchangeable. A difference from what is typical does not automatically mean that something is harmful or maladaptive.