Defining Psychological Abnormality

There are four definitions you need to know:

• Deviation from Social Norms
• Failure to Function Adequately
• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
• Statistical Infrequency

For each, you need to be able to outline these definitions as well as give strengths and limitations.

A social norm is a set of standards of how people in a society should behave.

These can be be in the form of Explicit and Implicit. 

Deviation from social norms uses the DSM classification system. 

THINK! DSM for DfSN

Social Norms change over time. For example, homosexuality was considered a mental illness until the 1970s, however nowadays is no longer the case. This suggests that social norms are subjective as they are changeable throughout time. 

We need to consider if it is a criminal who is abnormal or if it is just their behaviour. For example, underage drinking is against the law but also common. Speeding whilst driving is also a crime, however is also considered average. 

Behaviour that is deviant of norms is socially unacceptable for the rest of us. The definition takes account of the greater good of society and distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviour. This is a strength as your actions affect other people in society. 

DfSN recognises the role of context (situational norms). For example, it is appropriate to wear clothes out shopping, but a bikini is acceptable on a beach. This helps society as behaviour is appropriate and predictable. 

This refers to the individuals inability to cope with day to day living. An example of this may be socializing whilst depressed.

This is measured using the GAF scale, from 1-100. 

This scale is often used by mental health clinicians to determine the functioning of an individual.

THINK GAF for FtFA

Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) have suggested some characteristics of abnormal behaviour that are related to the FtFA definition. This includes:

• Personal distress
• Maladaptive behaviour
• Unpredictability
• Irrationality 
• Observer Discomfort
• Violation of Moral Standards
• Unconventionality 

Adequate functioning can be considered subjective, as it differs from person to person. What one may find normal, may be considered by someone else abnormal. It is, therefore, difficult to define someone abnormal by this definition. 

Individuals behaving inadequately aren't always abnormal. For example, it is appropriate to be under personal distress whilst grieving a death. There are times throughout someones life where they may relate to some of the characteristics put forward by Seligman and Rosenhan.

Psychopaths and other Highly functioning individuals don't always fail to function adequately. It is difficult to suggest that people have to be unable to function in order to be abnormal.

The GAF scale allows clinicians to judge the degree of abnormality. It is a scale of 1-100, and have different descriptions of functioning within every 10 codes. 

Jahoda (1958) deduced taht we define physical illness by looking for hte absence of signs of physical health (e.g., correct body temperature) and that we should do the same for mental health. 

Characteristics include:

• Positive attitude towards onself
• Self actualisation (experience of personal growth) 
• Autonomy (being independent)
• Resisting stress
• Accurate perception of reality 
• Environmental Mastery (ability to meet demands of day-to-day life)

It is difficult to achieve all six criteria all the time. For example, during exam season, it is difficult to resist stress. There are times where it is appropriate to not follow the criteria. 

There are some times where some level of stress may be beneficial to us. This may be to motivating us to work harder. 

This approach takes a positive approach to defining abnormality. It focuses on desirable behaviour, and is a clear way of helping someone achieve goals. 

The definition takes a holistic approach, looking at the whole person and their goals rather than individual problems an individual may have. 

Data is collected to inform us what is normal. Statistics can be used to define the 'norm' for any group of people. 

Can be shown in a bell-shaped curve, with the 'normal' people within the centre of the curve and the fewer 'abnormal' people at either extreme.

Not all behaviour is undesirable. High IQ generally is desirable, but is rare. It is difficult to say that just because a behaviour doesn't occur within individuals frequently, that it isn't desirable. 

Statistics may be misleading and fail to recognize the desirability of a particular behaviour. For example, depression is frequent within the UK, however is considered a mental health disorder and not desirable.

The definition is objective. It gives quantitative behaviour and is 'standardised.'

The SI definition is based on real data. This makes it an unbiased and objective means of defining abnormality.