Outline and evaluate two or more definitions of abnormality. [16 marks]

AO1 - statistical infrequency

  • behaviour/traits that are infrequent/rare in a population are abnormal

  • on a normal distribution, abnormality lies in very bottom and top

  • IQ is subject to this definition, 100+-30 is identified as abnormal

AO3 - statistical infrequency

  • used in diagnoses, they typically involve comparison of severity of symptoms to the average in order to gauge an abnormality, real-life application, must be founded on valid ideas

  • a rare trait doesn’t always need to be fixed, high IQs are desirable

  • a label doesn’t benefit everyone, a person living a happy, fulfilled life would only suffer from being called abnormal

  • the cut-off for normal/abnormal is a subjective decision

AO1 - deviation from social norms

  • society collectively sets and perpetuates a standard of normal behaviour

  • abnormal is that which does not align with these unsaid social rules

  • varies from culture to culture due to differences in norms, e.g. walking barefoot is strange in the UK but probably very normal elsewhere

AO3 - deviation from social norms

  • it can account for cultural differences in the pathologisation of behaviours

  • it creates problems for those living in between cultures who may be abnormal here but normal there, conflict over identity and how to treat themselves

  • it is easy to use as a tool, as we are all members of society, we can identify strange behaviour without really thinking

  • it has been historically been used a method of exerting control over minority groups, some modern psychologists say it is still infringing on people’s liberties, still a behavioural control method

AO1 - failure to function adequately

  • when a person can no longer cope with the demands of day-to-day life

  • e.g. maintain personal hygiene, hold down a job

  • Rosenhan and Seligman (2003) outlined three characteristics

    • failure to conform to interpersonal boundaries

    • experiencing severe distress

    • posing a danger to themselves or others

AO3 - failure to function adequately

  • attempts subjectivity, places value on the experience of the person, not just the particular behaviours they display

  • some people choose to live their life a certain way, why should their choices be labelled as abnormal, simply deviating from social norms shouldn’t warrant a label of abnormal, infringes on personal liberties to decide your own course of life

  • diagnosis requires a subjective judgement from a psychiatric professional, may have varying ideas on what functioning looks like that affects diagnosis

AO1 - ideal mental health

  • Marie Jahoda (1958) outlined criteria for what good mental health looks like

    • self-actualises

    • accurately perceives the world and the self

    • good self-esteem

    • can function independently

    • enjoys work and leisure

    • doesn’t experience symptoms

    • copes well with stress etc

  • failure to meet these items results in an abnormal diagnosis

AO3 - ideal mental health

  • focuses on the positive

  • comprehensive list, covers many reasons one may seek help for, makes it a useful tool for starting discussion surrounding mental health

  • list is unattainable and unrealistic for the average person, most people would warrant a diagnosis, unsuitable as a sole definition

  • Western bias, independency and self-actualisation very individualist ideals, not a hallmark of good mental heath everywhere, limited application