Psychopathology: Definitions of abnormality

Question 1

What are the 4 definitions of abnormality?

Answer 1

1. Deviation from social norms
2. Failure to function adequately
3. Statistical infrequency
4. Deviation from ideal mental health

Question 2

What is a deviation from social norms?

Answer 2

Where behaviour is seen as abnormal if it violates unwritten rules (social norms) about what is acceptable in a particular society. Behaviour may be comprehensive.

Sometimes these are written (explicit) and form laws that govern behaviour. Sometimes though, these norms of behaviour are unwritten (implicit) but generally accepted (e.g. not standing too close to people at a cash machine).

Whether explicit or implicit, social norms allow for the regulation of normal social behaviour. All societies have standards, or norms, for appropriate behaviours and beliefs (expectations about how people should behave and what they should think).

Question 3

What are 2 examples of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

Laughing at a funeral (implicit)

Exposing yourself in public (explicitly - defined by law)

Question 4

A03: Deviation from social norms

Answer 4

+ Practical application
+ Flexible
- Vary between cultures
- Social norms change over time

Question 5

A03: Deviation from social norms: Practical application

Answer 5

The social dimension of this definition can help both the abnormal individual and the wider society. For example, intervention by society may protect citizens from the potentially dangerous behaviours of abnormal individuals. Further, intervention may also help the abnormal individual (who may not be able to help themself) by teaching them to interact successfully in society and avoid potentially dangerous consequences of abnormal behaviour.

Question 6

A03: Deviation from social norms: Flexible

Answer 6

Social norms are flexible to account for the individual and situation. For example, throwing tantrums and hitting people is socially normal for a toddler, but would be a sign of mental disorder in adulthood. Similarly, walking around naked in your house might be normal, but walking around naked in the street would be a sign of mental disorder.

Question 7

A03: Deviation from social norms: Vary between cultures

Answer 7

Social norms differ between cultures and this may be problematic. In British culture, it is considered to be polite to finish the food on your plate at mealtimes. However, in India, to finish all food from your plate is a sign that you are still hungry. This is a limitation because shows that what is considered ‘normal’ in one culture may actually be ‘abnormal’ in another. This means that this definition does not consistently produce an accurate definition of abnormal behaviour.

Question 8

A03: Deviation from social norms: Social norms change over time

Answer 8

The Social norms definition can be questioned, as social norms change over time and therefore a behaviour that broke social norms and was considered abnormal in 1950 may not be viewed as abnormal today. Being an unmarried mother in the 1940s and 1950s would be breaking social norms and therefore this behaviour was classed as abnormal. Many of these women were sectioned as ‘moral imbeciles’ and society demanded that they “give up” their babies. This is a limitation because as this example shows, it is not the individual who has changed but the classification of the behaviour by society. This brings into question the validity of using this definition alone to define abnormality.

Question 9

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 9

A person’s traits, thinking or behaviour are classified as abnormal and rare. It’s a quantitative definition that requires a clear cut-off point usually using a normal distribution curve.

This approach defines abnormality as a behaviour that deviates from the ‘average.’ The idea behind this approach is that the less frequently a behaviour occurs in people, the more likely it is to be abnormal. The difference between normal and abnormal is therefore one of quantity rather than quality the majority of people are normal with the minority of people being abnormal

Question 10

A03: Statical infrequency

Answer 10

+ Clear definition
- Not always accurate
- Ethnocentric
- Left open to criticism

Question 11

A03: Clear definition

Answer 11

A strength of the Statistical Infrequency definition of abnormality is that offers the prospect of clear guidelines for identifying behaviours as normal and abnormal. For example, the definition introduces an element of objectivity into the process of defining abnormality so that different mental health care workers can all view the same kind of behaviour in the same kind of way. This is a strength because it offers a more scientific way of measuring abnormality, reducing subjectivity and therefore leading to a more accurate way of defining abnormality.

Question 12

A03: Not always accurate

Answer 12

A criticism of this definition is that it suggests that anyone who differs from the ‘average’ is technically abnormal. For example, it doesn’t take into account the desirability of behaviours, highly intelligent people are statistically rare and are thus, according to this definition, abnormal. This is a weakness as just because somebody falls outside of the statistically common area of the distribution curve, it doesn’t necessary mean that they are able. Therefore, suggesting that the statistical infrequency definition is not always accurate in defining abnormality.

Question 13

A03: Ethnocentric

Answer 13

A weakness of this definition is that it can be criticised as being ethnocentric. For example, cultures differ in terms of what they consider normal behaviour. It would be very unusual for someone in Great Britain to take an extended rest period during the working day; however, in other cultures, this is very common. This is a weakness because the definition cannot be applied/generalised to every culture and therefore using this definition may lead to some individuals being inaccurately defined as being abnormal.

Question 14

A03: Left open to criticism

Answer 14

A further weakness is that the statistical approach definition requires a decision about the point at which behaviour becomes statistically abnormal. For example, it is not clear at which point energetic and excitable behaviour from a child becomes a ‘problem’ behaviour requiring specialist intervention. This is a problem as the definition is left open to criticism, such apparent arbitrariness makes it difficult to accurately define abnormality.

Question 15

What is deviation from ideal mental health?

Answer 15

Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health. Jahoda (1958) identified 6 features of ideal mental health.

Question 16

What were Jahoda’s (1958) 6 features of ideal mental health?

Answer 16

• A positive attitude toward oneself: Being happy with who you are and having self-respect and self-esteem.
• Self-actualisation: Achieving personal growth and progress, realising one’s potential.
• Autonomy: Being independent, self-reliant, and able to make decisions for yourself.
• Ability to resist stress: Being able to effectively deal with the challenges of life without excessive stress.
• An accurate perception of reality: Being realistic and objective about oneself and the external world.
• Mastery of the environment: The ability to successfully navigate work, social, and other situations

Question 17

A03: Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 17

+ Holistic explanation
+ Positive goal
- Too idealistic
- Culture biased

Question 18

A03: Deviation from ideal mental health: Holistic explanation

Answer 18

The holistic description of ideal mental health focuses on the entire person rather than atomised elements, which may provide a more effective and long-lasting means of treating mental disorders. For example, a person with depression might have low self-esteem and not be achieving self-actualisation. Addressing the overall deviation from mental health might be a more effective treatment avenue than focusing on specific symptoms in isolation.

Question 19

A03: Deviation from ideal mental health: Positive goal

Answer 19

The deviation from the ideal mental health definition provides a positive goal to strive towards: Rather than focusing on what is ‘abnormal’ or ‘undesirable’, this definition focuses on what is optimal and desirable and aims towards that.

Question 20

A03: Deviation from ideal mental health: Too idealistic

Answer 20

The definition is problematic, as the characteristics of Ideal Mental Health are seen as far too idealistic. Evidence to support this comes from Maslow (1968) who argued that only a few people ever achieve ‘self-actualisation’ and so the criteria are set too high. This is a limitation because if this is true, most people are unable to achieve self-actualisation which means that the majority would be defined as being abnormal. However, if the majority of people are ‘abnormal’ then not achieving self-actualisation becomes ‘normal’ therefore indicating that the DIMH definition is a poor definition of abnormality.

Question 21

A03: Deviation from ideal mental health: Culture biased

Answer 21

For example, her emphasis on personal growth and individual autonomy reflects Western, individualistic culture (e.g. North American) and not collectivist cultures. This is a limitation because it means that the definition is subjective and should only be used in the culture in which it has been developed, is not value-free and therefore may be biased.

Question 22

What is failure to function adequately?

Answer 22

“Failing to function” is generally taken to mean that a person is unable to cope with everyday life. Their behaviour is seen as maladaptive (not good for survival), disrupting their ability to work and conduct satisfying relationships and causing personal distress, as well as distress to others.

Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) have suggested some key characteristics of ‘failing to function adequately’:

Question 23

What are Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) key characteristics of failure to function adequately?

Answer 23

• Personal Distress Most people who seek psychiatric help of any kind are suffering from a sense of psychological distress or discomfort (Sue et al, 1994) and a recognition that they are failing to function adequately.
• Observer Distress (or Discomfort) is Where someone’s behaviour causes discomfort and distress to others observing the behaviour.
• Maladaptive Behaviour is Where someone’s behaviour interferes with their ability to lead a normal life (e.g. agoraphobia)
• Unpredictable Behaviour- If the behaviour is unpredictable if it does not fit the situation or if it is unexpected and uncontrolled (e.g. sobbing for no reason or laughing at bad news).
• Irrational Behaviour If a person’s behaviour doesn’t make sense to other people (difficult to understand)

Question 24

A03: Failure to function adequately

Answer 24

+ It uses a checklist so individuals can use it to assess their level of abnormality and it provides quantitative data.

• Failing to function does not always indicate the presence of a psychological abnormality.
• People with depression may be able to function adequately
• Some behaviours may be admirable but look as if they’re failures to function quality.

Question 25

A03: Failure to function adequately: Failing to function does not always indicate the presence of a psychological abnormality.

Answer 25

Failing to function does not always indicate the presence of a psychological abnormality. For example, someone who loses their job will not be able to get up and go to work/earn money for their family etc This may cause them personal distress but it does not indicate an abnormality. This is a limitation as environmental factors may cause a failure to function rather than any psychological abnormality and this, therefore, questions the validity of using this definition to identify the abnormality.

Question 26

A03: Failure to function adequately: People with depression may be able to function adequately

Answer 26

However, the presence of an abnormality doesn’t always result in a “failure to function.” An individual with depression may still be able to hold a job and run a family successfully. There are many examples of celebrities who have suffered from psychological disorders who have had successful careers and who would not be considered as “failing to function adequately” e.g., David Beckham has OCD, and Stephen Fry has bipolar disorder. there are people who suffer from abnormalities such as depression however, are able to carry out everyday tasks like going to work, looking after a family etc They do not necessarily display a failure to function. This is a limitation because it shows that this definition is inadequate in truly identifying behaviours that may be considered abnormal.

Question 27

A03: Failure to function adequately: Some behaviours may be admirable but look as if they’re failures to function quality.

Answer 27

Behaviour that looks as if it is a “failure to function” may actually be behaviour that is admired by some in society. Some political prisoners who go on a hunger strike as part of their political protest will often be respected. This is a limitation because although starving yourself may be seen as irrational, maladaptive and unpredictable, it is understandable in a particular social context and therefore would not be classed as a mental abnormality.