Psychopathology
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
1. Deviation from Social Norms
• Behaviour that is different from the expected standards of behaviour in a community or society
o A social norm is an unwritten rule of what is acceptable in society
o If they repeatedly deviate from society it could indicate an underlying mental health
condition
AO3 PARAGRAPHS: SOCIAL NORMS
P- A strength of the deviation from social norms definition is that it has real life application.
E- The definition takes desirability into account, so if a trait was desirable e.g., high IQ the person would
not immediately be seen as having a mental disorder as they would not be deviating from social norms.
E- Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) for example, would be diagnosed by the deviation from social
norms definition as they have beliefs in the supernatural which deviate from their cultural norms.
C- However, you could argue that this limits freedom of belief and even abuses human rights as it does
not give people the choice to believe in what they want by labelling them as abnormal.
L- Nevertheless, this definition of abnormality is successful as it can be applied to people in real life.
P- One issue with the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality is the idea of
cultural relativism.
E- For example, in approximately 75 countries in the world, homosexuality is still illegal and
therefore considered abnormal. However, in the rest of world, homosexuality is deemed normal.
E- This example shows that social norms differ between cultures and what is considered normal by one
culture may be deemed abnormal in another.
C- However, there is research which shows that facial expressions are standard all over the world
showing that there are some behaviours which are widely accepted and understood.
L- As a result, there is no global standard for defining behaviour as normal and therefore abnormality
is not standardised.
P- Social norms change over time which raises an issue called hindsight bias.
E- For example, homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness in the UK until 1973, often resulting in
institutionalisation, but is now simply considered a variation of normal behaviour.
E- As a result, by following the deviation from social norms definition people's human rights may be
violated. Therefore, you could argue that diagnosis upon these grounds may be used as a form of social
control over minority groups to exclude those who do not conform from society (Szas, 1974).
C- However, at the time they would not be a social norm so breaking the rules of society may be enough
to suggest a person is abnormal, for example wearing the amount of clothing some people wear today
100 years ago.
L- Therefore, measuring abnormality using the definition of deviation from social norms is
unsuccessful as what may not be considered a social norm now may be in 30 years.
2. Failure to function adequately (FFA)
• When someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day-to-day living and live
independently
• Cannot maintain basic hygiene/nutrition, hold down a job or maintain a relationship
• A persons behaviour must cause personal suffering and distress (to them or others) to be
classified as abnormal
• David Rosenhan and Martin Seligman (1989) signs to show someone isn't coping:
o person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g., eye contact,
personal space.
o experiences severe personal distress
o behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
AO3 PARAGRAPHS: FFA
, P- One strength of the FFA definition of abnormality is that it considers the person's thoughts and
feelings.
E- Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest that signs to show someone is not coping are when the
behaviour becomes irrational/dangerous to themselves and others or they experience severe distress.
E- Therefore, the person is not immediately classified with a mental illness if they themselves are
content with their lifestyle choices which is beneficial as it prevents breaches of human rights.
C- Although, in the case of extreme sports you could argue that they 'could not be coping' as are
causing stress to themselves and others but in reality they may just enjoy a more active/thrilling
lifestyle.
L- As a result, FFA is a successful way of measuring abnormality because it allows people to make
personal choices as to how they lead their lives and push the unwritten rules of society because it is
their personal experience which determines whether or not it is a mental disorder.
P- An issue with the FFA definition is that it can limit personal freedom.
E- This is because, what may seem abnormal to us could just be a lifestyle choice of the person.
E- For example, someone who leads an alternative lifestyle may not have, for example, the greatest
hygiene standards but have chosen that and are content in their choices.
C- However, FFA measures distress and acknowledges that the experience of the person is important
so if the person is happy and fulfilled with their life they would not be identified as being abnormal.
L- However, FFA is unsuccessful in measuring abnormality as most of its criteria does not take into
account personal choice.
P- Another issue is that everyone behaves differently.
E- For example one person with depression may be able to hold onto a job and maintain
relationships, whereas another may not even be able to leave their house.
E- Therefore, it is important to take into account that some people may be able to 'function
adequately' but still have a mental disorder.
C- However, Rosenhan and Seligman would still identify someone as abnormal if they were
experiencing distress which the individual may be dealing with privately and still managing to
function adequately.
L- Therefore, if people are not identified as abnormal just because they still manage to function it can
prevent them receiving the help and support they need so each case needs to be reviewed
individually.
3. Deviation from ideal mental health (Marie Jahoda 1958)
• Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
• Defined by the absence of particular (ideal) characteristics.
• 6 principles of ideal mental health:
1. Having a positive view of yourself (high self-esteem) with a strong sense of identity
2. Being capable of personal growth and self-actualisation
3. Being independent of others (autonomous) and self-regulating
4. Having an accurate view of reality
5. Being able to integrate and resist stress
6. Being able to master your environment (love, friendships, work and leisure time)
AO3 PARAGRAPHS: IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH
P- One weakness of Jahoda's criteria is that it is unrealistic.
E- Jahoda suggests that you should be all of the criteria all of the time and for the majority of the
population this is unattainable.
E- For example, after suffering the loss of a loved one you would be going through a period of
grieving. Jahoda's criteria does not take into account the circumstances, which if anything, it would be
abnormal if the person did not suffer after experiencing it.
