Definitions of abnormality

1.Statistical Infrequency

• Definition: Defining 'normal' and 'abnormal' based on how often a behavior or characteristic occurs.

• Example: Only a small number of people exhibit irrational fears or beliefs, like fear of buttons or believing neighbors are zombies.

IQ and Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD)

• Normal Distribution: Majority of people's IQ scores cluster around the average (100), forming a bell curve.

• Abnormality: Individuals scoring below 70 are considered abnormal and may receive a diagnosis of IDD.

2. Deviation from Social Norms

• Definition: Behavior deviating from societal expectations is deemed abnormal.

• Cultural Influence: Social norms vary across cultures and generations.

• Example: Homosexuality was once considered abnormal in some cultures.

Example: Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Characteristics: Impulsive, aggressive, and irresponsible behavior.

• DSM-5 Criteria: Lack of prosocial internal standards and failure to conform to ethical behavior.

• Abnormality: Psychopaths are considered abnormal due to not adhering to societal moral standards.

• Evaluation of Statistical Infrequency and Deviation from Social Norms

  Statistical Infrequency

  • Real-world application: Used in clinical practice for diagnosis and symptom severity assessment.

  • Strength: Useful in diagnostic and assessment processes, e.g., IQ below 70 for intellectual disability disorder.

  • Limitation: Not sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality; infrequent characteristics can be positive as well.

  Deviation from Social Norms

  • Real-world application: Used in clinical practice for diagnosing disorders like antisocial personality disorder.

  • Strength: Useful in psychiatry, as seen in defining characteristics of disorders.

  • Limitation: Variability between social norms in different cultures and situations; difficult to judge across different contexts.

  Evaluation

  • Extra Benefits versus problems: Some benefit from being labeled abnormal for accessing support services, while others may face social stigma without benefiting.

  • Cultural and situational relativism: Variability in social norms across cultures and situations makes it challenging to apply the criterion universally.

  • Statistical Infrequency: Further Evaluation

    • Objective Evaluation:

      • Statistical deviation considers infrequent or rare behavior as abnormal.

      • It is objective as it is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

      • Example: IQ scores - deviations from the average IQ are considered abnormal.

    • Clear Guidelines:

      • Utilizes clear cut-off points decided numerically for defining abnormality.

      • Mental health workers can interpret behavior uniformly using standardized measurements.

    • Limitations:

      • Not all infrequent behaviors are indicative of psychological illness.

      • Some abnormal behaviors, like high IQ, can be desirable.

      • Therefore, this definition may misclassify healthy but rare behaviors as abnormal.

    Deviation from Social Norms

    • Explanation: Deviation from social norms refers to behavior that is not considered socially acceptable. It can be explicit (written laws) or implicit (unwritten but accepted norms).

    • Example: An example of deviation from social norms could be public nudity, which is generally considered socially unacceptable.

    • Evaluation:

      • Flexibility: Social norms can adapt, making this definition more flexible compared to statistical infrequency.

      • Subjectivity: The definition is subjective, as it relies on judgment to determine when behavior deviates enough to be abnormal.

      • Accuracy: This subjectivity can make the definition less accurate compared to statistical infrequency, as it is open to interpretation.

• Deviation from Social Norms - Evaluation

  • Cultural Bias:

    • Definition: Social acceptability varies across cultures, leading to labeling individuals from different cultural groups as abnormal based on majority group standards.

    • Example: Afro-Caribbean individuals in the UK are disproportionately diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to the general population.

    • Evaluation: Highlights the impact of cultural norms on defining abnormality, raising concerns about fairness and accuracy in diagnosis and treatment.

  • Ethnocentrism:

    • Definition: Judging other cultures based on one's own cultural standards.

    • Example: White European culture deems 'hearing voices' as abnormal, while it may be considered a religious experience like 'hearing the voices of angels' in another culture.

    • Evaluation: Reveals the limitations of applying a single cultural perspective to assess behaviors, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity in mental health practices.

  • A Category Failure:

    • Scenario: 'Hearing voices' categorized as abnormal in one culture but viewed as a normal religious experience in another culture.

    • Implication: Challenges the universal definition of abnormality and underscores the importance of considering cultural contexts in defining and addressing mental health issues.

Failure to Function Adequately

• Definition: Crossing the line between 'normal' and 'abnormal' due to inability to cope with everyday life demands.

• Indicators: Inability to maintain nutrition, hygiene, hold a job, or maintain relationships.

• Additional Signs (Rosenhan & Seligman, 1989):

• • Non-conformance to standard interpersonal rules

  • Severe personal distress

  • Irrational or dangerous behavior

Example: Intellectual Disability Disorder

• Criteria for diagnosis: Low IQ and failure to function adequately.

• Diagnosis not solely based on IQ.

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

• Approach: Focus on deviation from ideal mental health to determine abnormality.

• Criteria (Marie Jahoda, 1958):

  • Absence of symptoms or distress

  • Rationality and accurate self-perception

  • Self-actualization

  • Coping with stress

  • Realistic worldview

  • Good self-esteem and lack of guilt

  • Independence

  • Success in work, love, and leisure

• Overlap: Some overlap between deviation from ideal mental health and failure to function adequately. E.g., inability to keep a job can be seen as both a coping failure and a deviation from the ideal of successful work.

  Evaluation

  Failure to Function Criterion

  • Strength: Represents a sensible threshold for seeking professional help.

  • Limitation: Easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal, leading to discrimination and social control.

  • Extra Evaluation: Failing to function may not always indicate abnormality, especially in response to distressing circumstances.

    Pros:

    1. Takes into account a person's subjective experience

    2. Represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help

    3. Treatment and services can be directed towards those who need them most

    Cons:

    1. Discrimination and social control

    2. Easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as 'abnormal'

    3. Not having a job or a permanent address may be seen as a failure to function, despite being a lifestyle choice

    4. Some people with abnormalities, like those with Antisocial Personality Disorder, can function fine

  Ideal Mental Health Criterion

  • Strength: Highly comprehensive, includes various criteria for distinguishing mental health from disorder.

  • Limitation: Culture-bound, not equally applicable across different cultures due to varying values and definitions of success.

  Pros of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  1. Aspiration for personal growth: Encourages individuals to strive for self-improvement and autonomy.

  2. Focus on individual well-being: Prioritizes the mental health and happiness of individuals.

  3. Encourages seeking help: Individuals are more likely to seek professional help to improve their mental health.

  Cons of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health:

  1. Unrealistic standards: Sets an unattainable high standard for mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

  2. Ethnocentric bias: Criteria are based on Western individualistic values, disregarding cultural differences.

  3. Neglects community well-being: Ignores the importance of collective identity and community achievement in some cultures. Limited applicability: Not universally applicable as it may not align with the values and beliefs of all cultures.