Definitions of abnormality

Using statistics to define abnormality. Show what's typical and what's not. Bell curve graph, normal distribution curve, lowest 2.5% and highest 2.5% abnormal, everything inbetween normal.

Eg fear of dogs - scale of 1-10, 1 no fear at all, 10 panic. Would expect most people to give 4, 5, 6 or 7 - around the middle. Few at either end of scale - these would be the abnormal people.

Norms created by group of people, therefore norms are 'social' - standards of acceptable behaviour set by social group - if behave diff, 'deviate', classed as abnormal.

Standards there for good reason eg policitness - if rude, seen as deviant. Some rules implicit, others policed by laws eg not laughing at funeral implicit, causing disorder in public both deviation + against the law.

Eg in past, homosexuality classified as abnormal + regarded as mental disorder. Against the law in the UK (but not now). Judgement based off social deviation - judgement made by society at time, seen as abnormal.

Abnormality judged in terms of not being able to cope w/ everyday living. 'Functioning' refers to going about day-to-day life eg eating regularly, showering etc.

Not functioning adequately causes distress + suffering for individual and/or others. Individual may not be distressed eg people w/ schizophrenia generally lack awareness anything wrong w/ behaviour.

May be situations where person not coping w/ everyday life in 'normal' way eg may be content living in unwashed clothes + not having regular job. If doesn't cause distress to self or others, judgement of abnormality inappropriate.

Eg DSM inc assessmentof ability to function - WHODAS. Considers 6 areas: understanding + communicating, getting around, self-care, getting along w/ people, life activities + participation in society. Individuals rate each item on scale of 1 to 5 + given overall score out of 180. Assessment of abnormility using DSM would inc quantitative measure of functioning.

Jahoda (1958) - define physical illness in part by looking at absence of signs of physical health, which is indicated by having correct body temp, normal skin colour, normal blood pressure etc - absences of these indicates illness. J - review of what others written about good mental health - characteristics enable to feel happy + behave competently. 6 categories; 
 - self attitudes: high self-esteem  + strong sense of identity
 - personal growth + self actualisation: extent individual develops full capabilities
 - integration eg being able to cope w/ stressful situations
 - autonomy: being independent + self-regulating
 - having accurate perception of reality
 - mastery of environment: inc ability to love, function at work + in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations + solve problems.

Proposes absence of criteria indicates abnormality + potentional mental disorder. Some overlap b/ween criteria here + for failure to function adequately eg unable to cope w/ stressful situations indicates abnormality in both.

Some abnormal behaviour desirable, eg high IQ. Some normal behaviours undesirable eg experiencing depression. Unable to destinguish b/ween desirable + undesirable - to identify behaviours that need treatment, needs to be means of identiying infrequent + undesriable behaviours.

Cut-off point subjective - depends on what individual believes is abnormal/normal level.

Statistical infrequency sometimes appropriate - intellectual disability defined in terms of normal distribution, using standard deviation to establish cut off point.

Suscepitble to abuse - varies as times change. What's socially acceptable now, may not have been 50 years ago eg homosexuality. If define abnormality in terms of deviation from social norms, open up definitions based on old social morals + attitudes - allows mental health professionals to classify as mentally ill those who transgress against social attitudes. Szasz (1974) - concept of mental illnes way to exclude nonconformists from society.

Making judgements on deviance often related to context - person on beach can wear bikini, whereas would be abnormal if on a high street or at a formal gathering. Many cases not clear line b/ween abnormal + eccentricity - may not be mental disorder. Social deviance can't offer complete definition.

Does distinguish b/ween desirable + undesirable behaviour, that statistical infrequency doesn't do. Social deviancy model aslo takes into acc effect behaviour has on others. According to this definition, abnormal behaviour is behaviour that damages others.

Someone needs to judge if failing to function adequately - if individual judging, may not be able to tell they're not coping - others may be uncomfortable + judge behaviour as abnormal - depends who making judgement, major weakness.

Behaviour might be quite functional - some apparently dysfunctional behaviour can be adaptive + functional eg eating disorder may -> attention for individial, can be functional + rewarding for individual.

Strength - recognises subjective experience of patient, allows us to view mental disorder from POV of person experiencing it. Also relatively easy to judge objectively b/c can list behaviours, + thus judge abnormality objectively eg when treatment required.

Unrealistic criteria - according to criteria, everyone abnormal. How many need to be lacking before person would be judged as abnormal? Criteria diff to measure - means can't really be used to identify abnormality.

Suggests mental health same as physical health - unlikely we could diagnose mental abnormality in same way can diagnose physical abnormality.

Positive approach - offers alternative perspective on mental disorder by focusing on positives rather than negatives - focuses on what's desirable. Even though Jahoda's ideas never taken up by mental health professionals, ideas have had some influence + in accord w/ 'positive psychology movement' (humanistic approach).

Weakness for all definitions of abnormality - what is normal in one culture, may be abnormal in another eg eating dog normal in China, but not in Western cultures eg UK + USA.