Definitions of Abnormality

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Statistical Infrequency

Under this definition, a person's trait, thinking, or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual (if most people don't do it / have the characteristic). With this definition, it is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behaviour needs to be before we class it as normal. For example, a small section of the population (less than 2.2%) have an IQ of less than 70, therefore they may be described as having an abnormally low IQ (intellectual disability disorder)

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Evaluation of Statistical Infrequency.

- This does not consider the desirability of behaviours or traits. For example, very high intelligence or extremely altruistic behaviour are both statistically rare, but would not generally be classed as 'abnormal'. Additionally, many rare behaviours or characteristics (e.g. left handedness) have no bearing on normality or abnormality.

+ On the other side of the coin, some behaviours / characteristics are regarded as abnormal even though they are statistically quite frequent. For example, depression may affect 27% of elderly people. This would make it common, but that does not mean it isn't a problem. Therefore, statistical deviation is not enough to classify someone as abnormal.

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Deviation from Social Norms

Under this definition, a person's thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the (unwritten) rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group. Their behaviour may be incomprehensible to others, and make others feel threatened or anxious. For example, a stranger sitting next to someone on the bys when all the other seats are available.

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Evaluation of Deviation from Social Norms

- What is normal in one culture may not be normal in another. This leads to the problem of cultural relativism, where the behaviour needs to be judged in the context of the culture it is taking place in. Ways of greeting, interacting, and acceptable subjects for discussion all vary so much between (and perhaps within) cultures, so the definition is too hard to apply.

- Some groups could be unfairly labelled as abnormal by using this definition. For example, homosexuality was seen as going against social norms, and was even classified as criminal behaviour, but is not now recognised as such. Therefore, groups which deviate from the accepted standards of behaviour may find themselves being classified as mentally ill, unjustifiably.

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Failure to Function Adequately

Under this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. They may unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day-to-day living, for example: self-care, holding down a job, and interacting meaningfully with others.

Rosenhan & Selligman (1989) suggested the following characteristics would not enable someone to function adequately:
- Suffering.
- Maladaptiveness (being a danger to self).
- Unpredictability and loss of control.
- Irrationality / Incomprehensibility.
- Causes the observer discomfort.
- Violates moral / social standards.

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Evaluation of Failure to Function Adequately

+ A strength is that this definition acknowledges the patient's own feelings, for example of they are suffering, whereas some other definitions do not.

- A weakness is that 'failing to function' could just be going against the social norm (e.g. living an alternate lifestyle which involves not going to work or not living in a fixed home). Therefore, a person could be judged as not functioning when they actually are.

- Most people fail to function adequately at some time, but are not considered 'abnormal'. For example, after a bereavement, most people find it difficult to cope normally. Indeed, they might actually be considered more abnormal if they functioned as usual. Therefore, this definition cannot be applied in all circumstances.

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Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Under this definition, rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal / ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal. This requires us to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health.

Jahoda (1958) proposed the following criteria:
- Self-attitudes: having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.
- Personal growth and self-actualisation: the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities.
- Integration, such as being able to cope with stressful situations.
- Autonomy: being independent and self-regulating.
- Having an accurate perception of reality.
- Mastery of the environment: including the ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations, and solve problems.

The absence of these criteria means, by definition, the person is suffering from abnormal behaviour.

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Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Under this definition, rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal / ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal. This requires us to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health.

Jahoda (1958) proposed the following criteria:
- Self-attitudes: having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.
- Personal growth and self-actualisation: the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities.
- Integration, such as being able to cope with stressful situations.
- Autonomy: being independent and self-regulating.
- Having an accurate perception of reality.
- Mastery of the environment: including the ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations, and solve problems.

The absence of these criteria means, by definition, the person is suffering from abnormal behaviour.

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Evaluation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

- What is considered 'ideal' is historically and culturally specific. For example, being independent may not be valued in collectivist cultures, where value is placed on group activity. Therefore, this definition may not work in all cultures.

- Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health set the bar too high. Strictly applied, so few people actually meet all of these criteria that everyone ends up classed at abnormal and so the concept becomes meaningless.

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