Statistical Infrequency
Perhaps the most obvious way to define anything as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ is according to how often we come across it. Statistics are about numbers. According to statistical definition, any relatively usual behaviour or characteristic can be thought of as ‘normal’, and any behaviour that is unusual is ‘abnormal'. This is what is meant by statistical infrequency.
—> The average IQ is set at 100. In a normal distribution, most people (68%) have a score in the range from 85 to 115. Only 2% of people have a score below 70. Those individuals scoring below 70% are very unusual or ‘abnormal’, and are liable to receive a diagnosis of a psychological disorder – intellectual disability disorder.
Deviation from Social Norms
Most of us notice people whose behaviour is a deviation from social norms, i.e. when a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave. Groups of people (hence ‘social’) choose to define behaviour as abnormal on the basis that it offends their sense of what is ‘acceptable’ or the norm. We are making a collective judgement as a society about what is right. Social norms may be different for each generation and in every culture so there are relatively few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal on the basis that they breach social norms
—>until 1973 homosexuality was considered illegal in the UK and therefore anyone who was homosexual was considered ‘abnormal’. Furthermore, 78 countries still have homosexuality laws and therefore it is still considered ‘abnormal’ in these countries.
Failure to Function Adequately
A person may cross the line between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ at the point when they can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life and they fail to function adequately. We might decide that someone is not functioning adequately when they are unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene. We might also consider that they are no longer functioning adequately if they cannot hold down a job or maintain relationships with people around them. David Rosenhan and Martin Seligman (1989) have proposed some signs that can be used to determine when someone is not coping. These include:
• When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules, for example maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space.
• When a person experiences severe personal distress.
• When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or other
—> A diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder will not only be made on the basis of a very low IQ. An individual must also be failing to function adequately before a diagnosis would be given
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
Once we have a picture of how we should be psychologically healthy then we can begin to identify who deviates from this ideal. Jahoda (1958) suggested we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria:
•We have no symptoms or distress.
• We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately.
• We self-actualise (reach our potential).
• We can cope with stress.
• We have a realistic view of the world.
• We have good self-esteem and lack guilt.
• We are independent of other people.
• We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure
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