definitions of abnormality

AO1: Statistic infrequency

• defining abnormality in statistical terms - defined as ‘abnormal’ or ‘normal’ based on num of times observed

• Behaviour that is rare = abnormal - rare behaviour is a statistic infrequency

• EXAMPLE: IQ and intellectual disability disorder

  • IQ is normally distributed

  • Average IQ = 100, most score between 85-115

  • Score below 70 = statistically unusual (intellectual disability disorder)

AO3: Strengths of statistic infrequency.

• ✔- real world application

  • Useful in diagnosing (e.g. intellectual disability, requires IQ in bottom 2%)

  • Helpful in assessing range of conditions (e.g. BDI only 5% score 30+ = sever depression)

  • SUGGESTS - useful in diagnostic and assessment processes

AO3: limitations of Statistical infrequency’s (2)

• ✖- unusual characteristics can be positive

  • Some Def a statistic infrequency but not called abnormal

  • IQ score above 130 = abnormal, not regarded as undesirable or needing treatment

  • SUGGESTS - can help define abnormality, should never be its sole basis

AO1: Deviation from social norms.

• Abnormality’s based on social context - behaving in a way different to how they are expected, ‘abnormal’

• Social groups make collective judgements about ‘correct’ behaviour

• Few behaviours universally considered abnormal, definitions related to cultural context including historical differences within same society (e.g. homosexuality)

• EXAMPLE: antisocial personality disorder - failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’. Lack empathy, deviate from societal norms

AO3: strengths of deviation of social norms.

• ✔ - real world application

  • helpful in diagnosing antisocial personality disorder due to failure to conform to ethical standards

  • SUGGESTS: useful in psychiatric diagnosis

AO3: limitation of deviation from social norms

• ✖- situationally and culturally relative

  • person from one culture may label someone from other culture as abnormal by their standards instead of that persons standards

  • e.g. hearing voices socially accepted in some parts but sign of abnormality in UK

  • SUGGESTS: hard to judge deviation from one context to another

AO1: failure to function adequately

• inability to cope with everyday life - e.g not being able to maintain basic standards of nutrients and hygiene

• Rosenhan and Seligman - someone not coping when:

  • Dont conform to interpersonal rules

  • Experience sever personal distress

  • Behaviour is irrational or dangerous

• EXAMPLE: intellectual disability disorder - low IQ is statistical infrequency, can make diagnosis just from this, must prove they cannot cope with demands of everyday living

AO3: evaluation of failure to function adequately

• ✔- threshold for professional help

  • 25% of people experience symptoms of mental disorder every year

  • most press on, but when cease to function adequately people seek or are referred to professional help

  • SUGGESTS: Criteria provides way to target treatment to those who need it most

• ✖- can lead to discrimination

  • hard to distinguish between failure to function and choice to deviate

  • e.g people choosing to live of grid or take part in high-risk activites

  • SUGGESTS: people making unusual choices labelled abnormal, freedom of choice restricted.

AO1: deviation from ideal mental health

• looks at what makes someone ‘normal’ and psychologically healthy, identifies who deviates from this

• Jahodas criteria for ideal mental health:

  • No symptoms or distress

  • Rational and perceive self’s accurately

  • Self-actualised

  • Cope with stress

  • Realistic view of world

  • Good self esteem

  • Independent

  • Successfully work, love and enjoy leisure

• Overlap between definitions - unable to keep job could be failure to function or deviation from ideal of successful working

AO3: evaluation of deviation from ideal mental health

• ✔- being comprehensive

  • ideal mental health has range of criteria, covers most reasons we may need help

  • means mental health can be discussed meaningfully with professionals e.g. psychiatrists

  • SUGGESTS: provides checklist we can check ourselves against

• ✖- culture-bound

  • some criteria limited to US and Europe e.g. self-actulisation

  • variation of independence importance in Europe (high Germany, low Italy)

  • SUGGESTS:hard to apply concept from one culture to another.