Psychopathology Evaluation

Question 1

Definitions of abnormality (statistical infrequency and deviation from social norms) evaluation.

Answer 1

STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY
Some abnormal behaviour is desirable. For example a high IQ. Equally, there are some normal behaviours that are undesirable. For examples, experiencing depression is relatively common yet it is undesirable. Therefore using statistical infrequency to define abnormality means that we are unable to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviours.

In some situations it is appropriate to use a statistical criterion to define abnormality. For example, intellectual disability is defined in terms of the normal distribution using the concept of standard deviation to establish a cut-off point for abnormality.

BOTH
Cultural relativism

DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS
The main difficulty with the concept of deviation from social norms is that it varies as time changes. What is acceptable now may not have been acceptable 50 years ago. For example today homosexuality is acceptable but in the past it was included on the sexual and gender identity disorders. Therefore if we define abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms we open the door to definitions based on prevailing social morals and attitudes. This then allows mental health professionals to classify as mentally ill those individuals who transgress against social attitudes.

Deviance is related to context in degree. Therefore it cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality as it is related to both context and degree. E.g. Bikini beach vs office.

However there are some strength as it distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviour a feature that was absent from the statistical infrequency model. It also takes into account the fact that behaviour has on others. According to this definition, abnormal behaviour is behaviour that damages others.