Evaluation: The Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

State the 1st evaluation point of the definitions of abnormality

Answer 1

Cut off point = subjective

• We need to decide the separation of normal & abnormality
• Some people may think 5 hours = average while others don’t
• Therefore, it’s difficult to define abnormality in terms of statistical infrequency

Question 2

State the 2nd evaluation point of the definitions of abnormality

Answer 2

Unrealistic data

• Criteria claims most people = abnormal
• Criteria = difficult to measure
• Therefore this is an interesting approach
• Not useable when identifying abnormality

Question 3

State the 3rd evaluation point of the definitions of abnormality

Answer 3

Culture relativism

• One culture may be statistically more frequent in another
• Schizophrenia = common experience in some cultures
• Therefore there is no universal standard for labelling a behaviour as abnormal