Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

Describe statistical infrequency.

Answer 1

Infrequent and rare behaviour is considered abnormal. This is determined numerically using statistics and normal distribution.

Question 2

Evaluate statistical infrequency

Answer 2

+ Praised for being objective. It has clear guidelines determined numerically. It is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
+ Used in clinical practice as part of formal diagnosis to assess severity of symptoms.

• Some abnormal behaviour is desirable. This means psychologically well people may be incorrectly classified as abnormal.
• Misses and excludes some disorders which are common e.g. depression.

Question 3

Describe deviation from social norms.

Answer 3

Behaviour that is not considered to be socially acceptable is abnormal. Society makes a collective judgement as to what is normal.

Question 4

Evaluate deviation from social norms

Answer 4

+ Can be used in clinical practice in diagnosis e.g. of antisocial personality disorder by defining key characteristics.
+ Flexible. It is adapted to societal norms not to a number.

• Loses objectivity. Defining abnormality may be influenced by personal opinions and feelings.
• Can contribute to human rights abuses. People may be vulnerable to unfair labelling e.g. nymphomania and drapetomania.
• Could be culturally specific.

Question 5

Describe failure to function adequately

Answer 5

Inability to cope with the demands of everyday life. Rosenhan and Seligman established signs that are used to determine inability to cope e.g. personal distress, inability to conform to standard interpersonal laws and irrational and dangerous behaviour.

Question 6

Evaluate failure to function adequately

Answer 6

+ Represents a threshold for help. Allows recognition of when an individual may require professional intervention.
+ Treatment and services can be targeted to where they are most needed.
+ Takes into account subjective experiences.

• Some people with abnormalities do not fail to function in everyday life. This means they may be undiagnosed.
• In some circumstances failure to function is deemed acceptable e.g. bereavement. Circumstance, severity and duration must be considered.

Question 7

Describe deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 7

Behaviour is abnormal when there is a lack of healthy (ideal) characteristics. Jahoda (1958) proposed criteria for ideal mental health to identify abnormality. E.g. Accurate perception of reality, self actualisation, positive attitude to one self, environmental mastery, autonomy, resistance to stress. (A spear).

Question 8

Evaluate deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 8

Unrealistically high standards. Cannot expect everyone to meet these criteria at all times.
Cultural relativism. Some criteria are derived from individualistic cultures. E.g. self actualisation may be self indulgent in some cultures, independence is encouraged in Germany but is low in Italy. Not universally applicable.

Provides a comprehensive definition. Jahoda’s concept covers a wide range of criteria for distinguishing between mental health and illness. Acts as a checklist to assess ourselves against.