UNIT 2 - TOPIC 2

Normality

The state of being normal. It includes different concepts such as sociocultural, function, historical, situational, medical and statistical. It is defined in terms of typical and atypical behaviours, and how some behaviours are adaptive or maladaptive (coping mechanisms).

Normal behaviour

A behaviour that is accepted within society. It is typical for the specific situation or context.

Atypical/abnormal behaviours

viewed as “out of the ordinary”. It goes against societal and cultural expectations, may reflect some kind of impairment, or consist of unwelcome behaviours.

Situational approach

based on the social situation, behavioural setting or general circumstances in which the behaviour occurs.

Sociocultural approach

based on what is normal or acceptable in a particular society or culture.

Historical approach

based on what was considered normal or acceptable at a particular time in history.

Statistical approach

considers if an individual is normal whether their actions are common statistically within a population. 

Medical approach

views normality and abnormality in terms of physical health. Determined through a set of symptoms that may have genetic, biochemical or physical origins.

Functional approach

based on whether the individual can function independently and effectively in society.

Example of situational approach

Yelling and screaming at a football match is normal, but the same behaviour in a classroom would be considered abnormal.

Example of sociocultural approach

Spiritual possession is common and considered normal in Sudan. However, in Western society, the same behaviour might be interpreted as a psychological disorder.

Example of historical approach

In ancient times, it was considered normal to believe that mental illness was caused by evil spirits or supernatural forces.

Example of functional approach

If a person is so shy that they avoid going to parties and social events, this behaviour could be considered abnormal because it interferes with their ability to lead a normal life.

Example of medical approach

Mental illness is diagnosed based on symptoms, and treatment may involve medication, therapy or hospitalisation.

Example of statistical approach

Intelligence is normally distributed in the population, with most people falling in the average range and fewer people at the high and low extremes.

Coping mechanisms

There are two types: functional (adaptive) and dysfunctional (maladaptive)

Adaptive behaviour

refers to age-appropriate ‘everyday living skills’ that people learn through experience. These are essential for functioning independently in daily life.

Examples of adaptive behaviour

In childhood, examples include talk, walk, play with others, rules in school. In adulthood, they include maintaining a job, living independently, managing a household.

Maladaptive behaviour

coping mechanisms that are dysfunctional—they may temporarily reduce anxiety but can cause harm or prevent personal growth. They are different from adaptive coping because mal means dysfunctional. It can be habit forming making them difficult to change with constant effort.

Examples of maladaptive behaviour

Avoidance, escaping stressful situations rather than facing them, Procrastination, negative self-talk, inflexibility, Social withdrawal due to anxiety (which can temporarily reduce stress but in the long-run leads to more stress), Perfectionism (excessive criticism)

Psychological disorders

a condition characterised by thoughts, feelings, or behaviours that are abnormal, distressing, and interfere with a person’s ability to function in daily life.

How are psychological disorders managed?

often involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication and other therapeutic interventions aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving overall wellbeing

the four main categories of psychological disorders

- schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

- mood disorders

- anxiety disorders

- personality disorders

Significant symptoms of the schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

Characterised by the presence of psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech, bizarre behaviour, or loss of contact with reality.

Significant symptoms of mood disorders

Mood disorders that are characterised by periods of extreme and/or prolonged depression or mania or both

Significant symptoms of anxiety disorders

Characterised by avoidance and anxiety behaviours

Significant symptoms of personality disorders

Characterised by long-standing, inflexible, maladaptive patterns of behaviour beginning early in life and causing personal distress or problems in social and occupational functioning

Examples of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

schizophrenia

Example of mood disorder

major depression disorder and bipolar I and II

Example of anxiety disorder

a specific phobia

Example of personality disorder

antisocial personality disorder

Reliability of diagnosis

refers to the consistency of diagnosis. A diagnosis is considered reliable if different clinicians or the same clinician over time arrive at the same conclusion for the same patient. For example, some mental health disorders, like schizophrenia, show relatively high reliability using structured interviews, while others, like depression, can vary depending on the clinician. 

Validity of diagnosis

refers to the accuracy of the diagnosis—whether it truly identifies the disorder it claims to. For instance, a valid diagnosis should reflect the patient’s actual symptoms and predict outcomes or treatment response. Some diagnoses have issues with construct validity (e.g., overlapping symptoms in depression and anxiety can make accurate diagnosis difficult).