Definitions of Abnormality
Deviation from Social Norms:
-Deviating from the normal, unspoken rules and laws of society that guide us.
-if someone does not adhere to these rules then we may see them as abnormal as they are not what we as a
social group see as ‘acceptable’ with regards to their behaviour.
e.g. Antisocial personality disorder; is a form of psychopathology which means people are impulsive,
aggressive and irresponsible. The DSM-5 defines it as an ‘absence of prosocial internal standards associated
with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour’
Strengths:
Clear indication of what is seen as normal and abnormal behaviour.
Definition gives society the right to intervene and help.
Shows a distinction between what is normal and abnormal behaviour.
Weaknesses:
Cultural relativism- social norms vary from one cultural group to another. This means there are complications
when it comes to judgement as in one culture social norms can differ therefore leading to variations in what is
acceptable and what is not.
Abuse of social norms can lead to human rights abuses. Historically, social norms have been used to justify
sanctions on specific groups.
Not a sole explanation-can be other definitions that apply, namely failure to function adequately.
Failure to Function Adequately:
-people with psychological disorders often experience considerable suffering and distress as well as a general
inability to cope with everyday activities.
-focuses on the everyday behaviour of a person; can they hold down a job, manage their social lives etc.
Rosenhan and Seligman's characteristics of FFA:
-Observer Discomfort -Unpredictability
-Irrationality -Maladaptiveness (affects daily routine)
e.g. being consistently aggressive and irritable
Strengths:
The person in need has the first say, the individual who experiences the abnormal behaviour regularly
becomes a judge, this gives a view of subjectivity to the overall decision.
Assesses the degree of abnormality as the GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) is scored on a continuous
scale which shows, at a constant of how abnormal the individual is.
Focuses on observable behaviours and so allows other judgements of abnormality from outsiders
Weaknesses:
Difficult to define ‘adequate’, who is capable of being a judge of how well someone is able to cope and who
can decide what is or is not ‘erratic behaviour’. There are individuals who may feel they are able to cope with a
situation, but they may still be a danger to those around them.
Cultural Relativism surrounding how life is lived.
People who live an alternative lifestyle may appear to function ‘inadequately’ or may seem to deviate from
Ideal Mental Health but at what stage does a lifestyle choice become abnormal.
, Statistical Infrequency:
-When something which is statistically infrequent of characteristics or behaviour where above or below the
average of the population is seen as abnormal
e.g. IQ scores; anything below 70 IQ is seen as abnormal but so is above 130, however in this case abnormality
can be both positive and negative
Strengths:
No value judgements made about behaviour being ‘unacceptable’, it is either frequent or infrequent.
Reasonably objective as it uses quantitative data from graphs which is seen to be reliable.
Weaknesses:
Issues regarding the ‘cut-off’ point between abnormal and normal, and who should draw it.
No acknowledgement of cultural and historical variation.
Statistically rare behaviour can be positive, and can be in some cases not seen as abnormal i.e. a runner who
can run 100m in less than 10 seconds.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
-Focus on what an ideal mental health state is and an outline of the major criteria of optimal living, providing
psychological health and wellbeing.
e.g. deviation is failure to meet Marie Jahoda’s (1958) criteria:
-No symptoms or distress –rationality and accurate self-perception
–self actualisation –cope with stress
–good self-esteem and a lack of guilt –realistic view of the world
–independence –successfully work and enjoy our leisure
Strengths:
Comprehensive, covering a wide range of criteria and thus useful for thinking about mental health. -
Very positive, focuses on successes rather than failure.
Holistic approach focusing on the whole person rather than specific behaviour
Weaknesses:
Jahoda's ideas are very culture-bound and westernised concepts.
Very few of us achieve all of the criteria, they are nearly all unattainable on a permanent basis.
Deviation from Social Norms:
-Deviating from the normal, unspoken rules and laws of society that guide us.
-if someone does not adhere to these rules then we may see them as abnormal as they are not what we as a
social group see as ‘acceptable’ with regards to their behaviour.
e.g. Antisocial personality disorder; is a form of psychopathology which means people are impulsive,
aggressive and irresponsible. The DSM-5 defines it as an ‘absence of prosocial internal standards associated
with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour’
Strengths:
Clear indication of what is seen as normal and abnormal behaviour.
Definition gives society the right to intervene and help.
Shows a distinction between what is normal and abnormal behaviour.
Weaknesses:
Cultural relativism- social norms vary from one cultural group to another. This means there are complications
when it comes to judgement as in one culture social norms can differ therefore leading to variations in what is
acceptable and what is not.
Abuse of social norms can lead to human rights abuses. Historically, social norms have been used to justify
sanctions on specific groups.
Not a sole explanation-can be other definitions that apply, namely failure to function adequately.
Failure to Function Adequately:
-people with psychological disorders often experience considerable suffering and distress as well as a general
inability to cope with everyday activities.
-focuses on the everyday behaviour of a person; can they hold down a job, manage their social lives etc.
Rosenhan and Seligman's characteristics of FFA:
-Observer Discomfort -Unpredictability
-Irrationality -Maladaptiveness (affects daily routine)
e.g. being consistently aggressive and irritable
Strengths:
The person in need has the first say, the individual who experiences the abnormal behaviour regularly
becomes a judge, this gives a view of subjectivity to the overall decision.
Assesses the degree of abnormality as the GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) is scored on a continuous
scale which shows, at a constant of how abnormal the individual is.
Focuses on observable behaviours and so allows other judgements of abnormality from outsiders
Weaknesses:
Difficult to define ‘adequate’, who is capable of being a judge of how well someone is able to cope and who
can decide what is or is not ‘erratic behaviour’. There are individuals who may feel they are able to cope with a
situation, but they may still be a danger to those around them.
Cultural Relativism surrounding how life is lived.
People who live an alternative lifestyle may appear to function ‘inadequately’ or may seem to deviate from
Ideal Mental Health but at what stage does a lifestyle choice become abnormal.
, Statistical Infrequency:
-When something which is statistically infrequent of characteristics or behaviour where above or below the
average of the population is seen as abnormal
e.g. IQ scores; anything below 70 IQ is seen as abnormal but so is above 130, however in this case abnormality
can be both positive and negative
Strengths:
No value judgements made about behaviour being ‘unacceptable’, it is either frequent or infrequent.
Reasonably objective as it uses quantitative data from graphs which is seen to be reliable.
Weaknesses:
Issues regarding the ‘cut-off’ point between abnormal and normal, and who should draw it.
No acknowledgement of cultural and historical variation.
Statistically rare behaviour can be positive, and can be in some cases not seen as abnormal i.e. a runner who
can run 100m in less than 10 seconds.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
-Focus on what an ideal mental health state is and an outline of the major criteria of optimal living, providing
psychological health and wellbeing.
e.g. deviation is failure to meet Marie Jahoda’s (1958) criteria:
-No symptoms or distress –rationality and accurate self-perception
–self actualisation –cope with stress
–good self-esteem and a lack of guilt –realistic view of the world
–independence –successfully work and enjoy our leisure
Strengths:
Comprehensive, covering a wide range of criteria and thus useful for thinking about mental health. -
Very positive, focuses on successes rather than failure.
Holistic approach focusing on the whole person rather than specific behaviour
Weaknesses:
Jahoda's ideas are very culture-bound and westernised concepts.
Very few of us achieve all of the criteria, they are nearly all unattainable on a permanent basis.
