Defenitions of abnormality

Statistical infrequency

Defining abnormality in terms of statistics

Abnormal behaviours

Anything different or rare is ‘abnormal‘

Example of statistical infrequency

IQ

The average IQ is 100

Most people are between 85 and 115

Individuals scoring below 70 are statistically abnormal and diagnosed with intellectual disability disorder

One strength of statistical infrequency is real world application

Statistical infrequency is useful in diagnosis

It is also helpful in assessing a range of conditions

This means statistical infrequency is useful in diagnostic and assessment processes

One limitation is that unusual characteristics can also be positive

If few people display a characteristic then the behaviour is statistically infrequent but doesn't mean we call it abnormal

IQ above 130 are just as unusual but not regarder undesirable or needing treatment

This means although statistical infrequency can be part of defining abnormality it can never be its be basis

Deviation from social norms

Abnormality based on social context

When a person behaves in a way that is different from how they are expected to behave

Example of deviation from social norms

Homosexuality

Viewed as abnormal in some cultures

Was considered abnormal in our society in the past

One strength of deviation from social norms is real world application

Deviation from social norms is useful in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder because it requires failure to conform to ethical standards

Deviations from social norms is useful in psychiatric diagnosis

One limitation is that social norms are situationally and culturally relative

A person from one culture may label someone from another culture as abnormal using their standards rather than the persons standards

e.g hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be abnormal in the UK

Suggests it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms from one context to another

Failure to function adequately

Inability to cope with everyday living

What did Rose ham and Seligman propose

When someone is not coping:

They no longer conform to interpersonal rules

They experience severe personal distress

They behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous

Example of failure to function adequately

Intellectual disability disorder

there would be clear signs that the person was not able to cope with the demands of everyday life

One strength of failure to function is as a threshold for professional help

In any given year 25%of us experience symptoms of mental disorder to some degree

Most of the time we press but when we cease to function adequately people seek are referred for help

This means failure to function adequately provides away to target treatment and services to those who need it most

One limitation is this definition is it can lead to discrimination/ social control

Its hard to distinguis between failure to function and a conscious decision

e.g iving off the grid

This means people who make unusual choices can be labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice restricted

Deviation from ideal mental health

Deviation from being psychologically healthy

Jahodas 8 criteria for ideal mental health

We have no symptoms or distress

We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately

We self-actualise

We can cope with stress

We have a realistic view of the world

We have good self esteem and lack guilt

We are dependant of other people

We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure

One strength of ideal mental health approach is being comprehensive

Ideal mental health includes a range of criteria

Covers most reasons why we might need help with mental health

This means there is an ideal checklist against which we can assess ourselves

One limitation is the defention may be culture bound

Some criteria are limited to the US and Europe

Even in Europe there are variations in the value placed on independence

This means it is very difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another