What is a general, overarching definition for abnormality?
A psychological condition/behaviour that departs an individual from the norm or is harmful/distressing to them/those around them
Why is abnormality hard to define?
It is hard to categorise the ‘norm’ (and therefore determine which individuals don’t fit this standard)
What are the four definitions of abnormality used in psychology in order to be more specific?
1) Deviation from social norms
2) Failure to function adequately
3) Statistical infrequency
4) Deviation from ideal mental health
Why is abnormality important in psychopathology?
If an individual is deemed to have persistent abnormalities they may be diagnosed with a mental disorder
What is psychopathology?
The scientific study of mental disorders
Define ‘Deviation from social norms’
A definition for abnormality, whereby a person’s behaviour is different from the accepted standards of behaviour (the ‘norm’) in a society/community
In what ways do ‘norms’ vary?
- Vary between cultures/societies
- Vary over time
Give an example of a varying ‘norm’
‘Norm’ = Homosexuality
- Homosexuality considered abnormal in UK culture in the past (in 1974 it was a disorder in the DSM)
- Homosexuality is still considered abnormal in some cultures, e.g. Brunei (in 2019 sex between men was punishable by stoning to death)
What is an example of a mental disorder which is diagnosable in terms of deviation from social norms?
Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)
Informally known as ‘psychopathy’
Outline how ADP is diagnosed
- One of key symptoms (in DSM-5) is failure to conform to ‘lawful and culturally normative ethnic behaviour’
- Failure to conform to norms is driven by lack of empathy
- Sufferers are often: reckless, aggressive, deceitful
- (Sufferers considered abnormal because they deviate from social norms)
Give 2 positive evaluation points for deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality
Practical application
- Is used in clinical diagnosis of mental disorders
- E.g. Category in DSM-5 for APD
Practical application
- Encourages adherence to social norms in order to be considered ‘normal’
- This helps society to remain predictable + orderly
Give 2 negative evaluation points for deviation from social norms as a definition for abnormality
Methodology is too subjective
- Social norms are specific to cultures - can make it hard to decide whether someone who has moved cultures is ‘abnormal’
- Social norms are specific to situations - e.g. deceitfulness more acceptable in certain circumstances
- This cultural and situational relativism makes it hard to diagnose, as one behaviour doesn’t automatically indicate abnormality
Debates - too discriminatory
- Defining someone as abnormal can be unfair, removing right to individuality
- Can become a form of social control, as minority groups are labelled ‘abormal’ + suppressed
What are two occasions when minority groups have been labelled ‘abnormal’ in attempt to control their deviation from social norms?
Drapetomania - Black slaves trying to escape labelled ‘abnormal’
Nymphomania - Women’s sexual desires labelled ‘abnormal’
What is ‘Failure to function adequately’?
A definition for abnormality whereby a person is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living
How can a person be diagnosed as ‘abnormal’ due to their failure to function adequately?
Rosenhan + Seligman (1989) proposed their ‘Seven Features of Personal Dysfunction’ to identify when an individual fails to function adequately, including…
- No longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules (e.g. personal space)
- Experiencing personal distress
- Irrational behaviour that may endanger themselves or others
What are the two general things individuals who fail to function adequately cannot do?
Stay SAFE + SANITARY
What is an example of a mental disorder which is diagnosable in terms of failure to function adequately?
Hoarding
- Irrational behaviour (excessively saving worthless items)
- Can have detrimental affect on their day-to-day lives, so that they struggle to keep themselves safe + sanitary (e.g. dirty living space)
Give 2 positive evaluation points for failure to function adequately as a definition for abnormality
Methodology - Seven Features of Personal Dysfunction are visibly observable
- Mind (mental health charity) says annually 25% UK experience mental health issue but many fail to get help due to mild/non-observable symptoms
- When individuals fail to function adequately, others can visibly see their need for help
Methodology allows assessment of severity of abnormality
- GAF scale (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale)
Give 2 negative evaluation points for failure to function adequately as a definition for abnormality
Methodology - Seven Features of Personal Dysfunction can be subjective
- Makes valid diagnosis harder
- E.g. high risk leisure activities (skydiving) may be seen as irrational behaviour to some, but normal and fun to others
Short periods of failing to function adequately may be normal
- E.g. during bereavement people may lack motivation to get washed + dressed, but will eventually return to ‘normal’
- Diagnosis may identify someone as permanently ‘abnormal’ based on temporary behaviours
What is ‘statistical infrequency’?
A definition for abnormality whereby a person has a less than common statistic, when statistically compared to the entire population
How can a person be diagnosed as ‘abnormal’ in terms of statistical infrequency?
Normal distribution curve (bell curve) drawn
- Most common results in middle
- Within 1 standard deviation: ‘normal’
- Within 1-2 standard deviations: ‘unusual’
- Extreme ends of curve: ‘abnormal’
What is an example of a mental disorder which is diagnosable in terms of statistical infrequency?
Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD)
- People with the disorder have a statistically infrequent IQ
- Average IQ: 100
- ‘Normal’ people have IQ between 85 and 115
- Only 2% people have IQ below 70 - likely considered ‘abnormal’ + diagnosed with IDD
Give 2 positive evaluation points for statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality
Methodology is objective
- Mathematical technique
- No subjective judgement or observer bias
- Diagnosis has higher internal validity
Methodology provides useful overview
- Individual is compared to data from the entire population
- Diagnosis has higher internal validity, as it is informed rather than judging one isolated case
Give 2 negative evaluation points for statistical infrequency as a definition for abnormality
Methodology may be TOO objective
- Diagnosis is inflexible
- No consideration of external factors that may explain abnormal behaviour (e.g. culture)
- Diagnosis may be uniformed, due to only looking at data
Debates - arguably socially sensitive presenting all abnormalities as bad
- One end of normal distribution curve often seen as positive
- Diagnosis as ‘abnormal’ suggests person is suffering from a condition
- May actually be a positive, e.g. abnormally high IQ (genius)
