Definitions Of Abnormality

Question 1

Statistical infrequency

Answer 1

Defining abnormality in terms of statistics - if something is statistically abnormal or rare it is considered behaviourally abnormal.

EXAMPLE: IQ and intellectual disability disorder

IQ is normally distributed.
Average IQ is 100. Since most people’s IQ falls between 85 and 115 - those with a score <70 make up just 2% of the population.
Therefore, people with an IQ of this score are considered abnormal according to the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality

Question 2

AO3 - Statistical Infrequency

Answer 2

✅Real life application:

All modern assessment of mentally ill patients involves comparison to statistical norms - diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder (IQ<70) is based completely upon statistical infrequency. So the definition is a useful part of clinical assessment/diagnosis.

❌unusual or ‘abnormal’ characteristics can be positive

Statistical infrequency of a behaviour doesn’t necessarily mean this behaviour requires treatment. E.g. an IQ of >130 is as abnormal as <70 - but is not considered undesirable. This is a weakness and means the definition shouldn’t be used to make a diagnosis.

❌Not everyone who is abnormal benefits from this label

The abnormal individual may be living a happy and fulfilled life. A person with an IQ <70 who is not distressed or unemployed etc., wouldn’t benefit from an IDD diagnosis. The classification of ‘abnormal’ may have a negative effect on their self-perception and the way others view them.

Question 3

Deviation from social norms

Answer 3

When a person behaves in a way that contradicts societal expectations of behaviour. This definition is based upon collective societal judgements of ‘correct’ behaviour.

Definitions can rarely be universal as there are very few behaviours that will be considered abnormal across cultures. For this reason, definitions are related to cultural context - e.g. homosexuality is viewed as abnormal in some cultures, as it was in our society in the past.

EXAMPLE: Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)
One feature of APD (or psychopathy) is failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour’. A psychopath is abnormal because their lack of empathy deviates from social norms or standards.

Question 4

AO3 - Deviation from social norms

Answer 4

❌social norms are culturally relative

Someone from a certain social group may label someone else as abnormal based on their own standards of abnormality rather than the other person’s. E.g. ‘Hearing voices’ is socially acceptable and even valued in some cultures, but in The West is seen as abnormal behaviour. So - this definition is not universal and could create issues for someone living in a culture that is not their own.

❌definition can lead to human rights abuses

Too much reliance on this definition can lead to systematic human rights abuses. ‘Drapetomania’ - a diagnosis given to black slaves trying to escape, and ‘nymphomania’ - a diagnosis given to women attracted to working-class men are both examples of diagnosis based upon this definition being used for social control. Some psychologists argue that modern classifications of abnormality are similar abuses of individual liberty and people’s right to be different.

Question 5

Failure to function adequately

Answer 5

Characterised by an inability to cope with everyday living and a failure to function adequately in terms of standards of human existence and wellbeing. E.g. not being able to maintain employment, relationships, or basic nutrition and hygiene

ROSENHAN +SELIGMAN (1989)
Proposed signs of this failure to cope:

1. Conforming to interpersonal rules such as personal space
2. Experiencing personal distress
3. Behaving dangerously or irrationally

EXAMPLE: Intellectual disability disorder (IQ<70) -

for a diagnosis to be made, more than the statistical infrequency of the IQ score needs to be present. There must be signs that the individual is, because of their IQ, unable to cope with everyday life. So IDD is an example of the definition

Question 6

AO3 - failure to function adequately

Answer 6

✅Recognises patients perspective

Recognises the importance of the patient’s experience - and considers the human experience of the patient

❌hard to distinguish between failure to function adequately and deviation from social norms.

People who live alternative lifestyles such as extreme sports enthusiasts could be seen as behaving maladaptively. Treating these behaviours as ‘failures’ of adequate functioning may limit individual liberty and freedom.

❌subjective judgement

Someone has to be the judge of an individuals failure to function adequately which will always be a subjective judgment. There are methods to increase the objectivity of this definition, including checklists such as the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Despite this, the definition relies on the assumption that someone e.g. a psychiatrist, has the right to make this judgement and classify a patient as abnormal based upon subjectivity.

Question 7

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 7

Abnormality classified based upon deviations from what makes someone ‘normal’ and psychologically healthy.

JAHODA (1958) suggested these criteria for ideal mental health:

1. No symptoms or distress
2. Rationality and accurate self-perception
3. Self-actualisation
4. Ability to cope with stress
5. Realistic world view
6. Good self-esteem and lack of guilt
7. Independence from other people
8. Successful ability to work, love, and relax

Question 8

AO3 - deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 8

✅ comprehensive definition

Covers a broad range of criteria for mental health. Covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help. Wide range of factors discussed in Jahoda’s criteria make it a good tool for thinking about mental health.

❌ definition may be culturally relative

Some ideas in Jahoda’s classifications are specific to Western European and North American cultures. Emphasis on personal achievement (self-actualisation) would be considered self-indulgent in more collectivist cultures.

❌ unrealistically high standards for mental health

There are very few people who would meet all of Jahoda’s criteria - so his criteria would see most of us as abnormal.

On the positive side, it outlines ways in which people may seek to improve their mental health

However, it is probably of no value to think about people who may benefit from treatment if it is against their will.