Defining abnormality

• Every society has commonly accepted standards of behaviour 
• E.G not talking to yourself when shopping
• Deviations from these unwritten but generally accepted norms is an indication of abnormality

+ 

• provides indication of disordered behaviour
• e.g schizophrenic who reports hearing voices

-

• Cultural relativity issue: social norms are specific to cultures/ societies so behaviour seen as a deviation in one culture may not be seen as one in another
• e.g fasting

• An attempt to define a state of mental health
• Uses Jahoda's list to do so
• Any deviation from these ideals would be defined as abnormality

+

• Has value as a general & positive approach to defining abnormality
• Emphasises a positive attitude to human behaviour & experience

-

• Very few people match all of the criteria written by jahoda
• By definition the majority of the population would be classed as abnormal
• Unclear how far a person ould deviate before being defined as abnormal

Individuals should...

• Be in touch with their own identity & feelings
• Be resistant to stress
• Be focused on self-actualisation (our motivation to achieve our full potential)
• Funtion as autonomous ( independently, taking responsibility for own actions) individuals with an accurate perception of reality
• Show empathy & understanding towards others

1)feelings

2)stress 

3)self-actualisation

4)autonomous

5)empathy

• Focuses on everyday behaviour of individuals
• E.g waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast
• When someone deviates from normal pattern of behaviour, it's an indication they're failing to function adequately
• Therefore defined as being abnormal

+

• Clear indication from change in normal pattern
• Very obvious/easy to see when somehting's different

-

• FFA may not just be linked to psychological disorders
• E.G holding down job may be difficult due to economic conditions (esp. subcultures like immigrant communities)
• E.G prejudice/ discrimination may prevent someone from getting a job

Rosenhan & Seligman:

• Behaviour causes discomfort to observer
• Unpredictable & uncontrolled behaviour
• Irrational & hard to understand behaviour
• Maladaptiveness (behaviour that interferes with daily routine)