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Definitions of Abnormaljty:
Deviation from social norms (A03)
Statistical Infrequency (A03)
Failure to function adequately (A03)
Deviation from ideal mental health (A03)
Deviation from social nonns:
Social norms are the expected behaviour within society, any deviation from these social norms would
deem you as abnormal. There are desirable and undesirable behaviours within society. Any person who
exhibits undesirable behaviour is labelled a social deviant.
Social norms can be explicit which are outspoken rules within society such as laws such as not drinking
and driving.
Social norms can also be implicit which are unspoken rules placed by society on what is normal or not
such as standing really close to someone during a conversation ignoring personal boundaries is
abnormal.
EVALUATION:
(-) One major issue with basing abnormal behaviour on a set of social norms is that they are subject to change
over time. Behaviour that is socially acceptable now may suddenly be seen as socially deviant later and vice
versa. Today homosexuality is seen as socially acceptable however based on this definition it was seen as
socially deviant and classed as a mental disorder in the past. Therefore this definition is very e~pendent.
(-} Another weakness is social norms usually separated by blurred lines as what is acceptable in one context may
not be acceptable in another. For example, a person wearing little clothing at a beach may be seen as normal
however someone doing the same again walking along the streets in town may be seen as abnormal. Therefore
there is no clear distinction on where this divide between normal and abnormal is as such behaviour may simply
be eccentric but not due to any mental disorders. Therefore social deviance on its own cannot offer a holistic
definition of abnormal behaviour.
(+)This definition allows society to get involved in individuals' abnormal behaviour and help them, when they may
not be able to seek or identify the help they need.
Statistical infatPU@OSY·
Defines abnormality in terms of behaviours which are seen as statistically rare deviating from the
mean/average.
Behaviours which are considered normal/abnormal are based on where they sit within a normal
distribution bar chart.
A distribution curve can be used to represent the proportions of a population who share a particular
characteristic.
An example of the IQ, the average IQ is around 100 but an IQ above 130 or below 70 is statistically
infrequent and would be labelled as psychologically abnormal.
EVALUATION:
(-} A major weakness is that statistical infrequency suffers from cultural bias. It does not consider cultural factors
in determining abnormal behaviour and what is a normal behaviour in one culture may be seen as abnormal in
another due to its infrequency. Also, behaviours which were statistically rare many years ago may not be rare
now e.g. homosexuality (and vice versa}. Therefore this tool could run the risk of being e~pendent by
adopting a statistical norm based on behaviours that may later become outdated.
(-) Infrequency does not always mean abnormality, for example having an IQ above 140 is statistically infrequent
but does not mean that the person is abnormal as this trait is quite desirable(-} There are also some undesirable
behaviours that are statistically frequent. About 10% of people are chronically depressed, which suggests that
, depression is common so it is not seen as abnormal according to this definition, it has a problem in defining
which behaviours are actually abnormal.
(+)This definition can be used as part of a dinical assessment. For example, it has real-life appflcation in the
diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder.Therefore, there is a place for statistical infrequency in thinking about
normal and abnormal behavioural characteristics.
E1iluC1 to functlon ,a,auat&ly;
Individuals are abnormal when they are unable to function within everyday life, which is evident in their
behaviour.
Rosenhan and Seligman suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features and the more features
an individual has the more they are classed as abnormal.
Observer discomfort: Displaying any behaviour which is uncomfortable to the observer.
Personal distress: Behaviour which causes the person stress.
Irrationality: Behaviour which cannot be explained rationally.
Unpredictability: Behaviour which is unexpected and characterised by a loss of control.
Maladaptive behaviour: Behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals, both socially and
occupationally.
Unconventionality: Unconventional behaviour.
Violation of moral standards: Behaviour violating social norms.
EVALUATION:
(-) Such a definition suffers from cultural bias as it will inevitably be related to how one culture believes an
individual should live their lives. Basing abnormality on the basis of failing to function is likely to lead to different
diagnoses when applied to people from different cultures or even socio-economic classes. For example, people
from lower-class non-white backgrounds are often diagnosed with more mental disorders and their lifestyles and
values being different may be one explanation for this.
(+) The definition attempts to look from the perception of the 'patient'. It captures the experiences of many people
who need help, providing a useful criteria for abnormality.
(-) It is difficult to assess personal distress, at times it can be considered normal to experience personal distress
for example, bereavement. \/Vho decides what is adequate personal distress and what amount is abnormal.
oeviafipn tmro icteat roeotat beaftb·
Jahoda provides a set of characteristics which are defined as normal and any deviation from these traits
would define someone as abnormal.
Self attitudes ~ High self esteem and a strong sense of self.
Personal self growth and self actualisation ~We develop full capabilities.
lntergration ~ Can_cope with stress and stressful situations.
Autonomy ~We can be independent and self regulated.
Accurate perception of reality ~We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately.
Mastery of the environment~ We have the ability to love, work and enjoy our leisure, and adjust to
new situations.
T_h e absence of th~se criteria suggest abnormality and a potential psychological disorder.
EVALUATION:
(-) Most of.the criteria are c~lture bound to western european and north american cultures, cultural relativism, self
actualisation is a prime goal in individualistic cultures but not in collectivist cultures, in these cultures it would be
seen as abnormal to be independent.
(+) It makes clear how everyone can improve their mental health. It covers a broad range of mental health and
could be a reason why someone would seek help from mental health services.
(-) Perceptions of reality change over time as seeing visions was a positive sign of religious commitment but is
now perceived as a sign of schizophrenia.
Definitions of Abnormaljty:
Deviation from social norms (A03)
Statistical Infrequency (A03)
Failure to function adequately (A03)
Deviation from ideal mental health (A03)
Deviation from social nonns:
Social norms are the expected behaviour within society, any deviation from these social norms would
deem you as abnormal. There are desirable and undesirable behaviours within society. Any person who
exhibits undesirable behaviour is labelled a social deviant.
Social norms can be explicit which are outspoken rules within society such as laws such as not drinking
and driving.
Social norms can also be implicit which are unspoken rules placed by society on what is normal or not
such as standing really close to someone during a conversation ignoring personal boundaries is
abnormal.
EVALUATION:
(-) One major issue with basing abnormal behaviour on a set of social norms is that they are subject to change
over time. Behaviour that is socially acceptable now may suddenly be seen as socially deviant later and vice
versa. Today homosexuality is seen as socially acceptable however based on this definition it was seen as
socially deviant and classed as a mental disorder in the past. Therefore this definition is very e~pendent.
(-} Another weakness is social norms usually separated by blurred lines as what is acceptable in one context may
not be acceptable in another. For example, a person wearing little clothing at a beach may be seen as normal
however someone doing the same again walking along the streets in town may be seen as abnormal. Therefore
there is no clear distinction on where this divide between normal and abnormal is as such behaviour may simply
be eccentric but not due to any mental disorders. Therefore social deviance on its own cannot offer a holistic
definition of abnormal behaviour.
(+)This definition allows society to get involved in individuals' abnormal behaviour and help them, when they may
not be able to seek or identify the help they need.
Statistical infatPU@OSY·
Defines abnormality in terms of behaviours which are seen as statistically rare deviating from the
mean/average.
Behaviours which are considered normal/abnormal are based on where they sit within a normal
distribution bar chart.
A distribution curve can be used to represent the proportions of a population who share a particular
characteristic.
An example of the IQ, the average IQ is around 100 but an IQ above 130 or below 70 is statistically
infrequent and would be labelled as psychologically abnormal.
EVALUATION:
(-} A major weakness is that statistical infrequency suffers from cultural bias. It does not consider cultural factors
in determining abnormal behaviour and what is a normal behaviour in one culture may be seen as abnormal in
another due to its infrequency. Also, behaviours which were statistically rare many years ago may not be rare
now e.g. homosexuality (and vice versa}. Therefore this tool could run the risk of being e~pendent by
adopting a statistical norm based on behaviours that may later become outdated.
(-) Infrequency does not always mean abnormality, for example having an IQ above 140 is statistically infrequent
but does not mean that the person is abnormal as this trait is quite desirable(-} There are also some undesirable
behaviours that are statistically frequent. About 10% of people are chronically depressed, which suggests that
, depression is common so it is not seen as abnormal according to this definition, it has a problem in defining
which behaviours are actually abnormal.
(+)This definition can be used as part of a dinical assessment. For example, it has real-life appflcation in the
diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder.Therefore, there is a place for statistical infrequency in thinking about
normal and abnormal behavioural characteristics.
E1iluC1 to functlon ,a,auat&ly;
Individuals are abnormal when they are unable to function within everyday life, which is evident in their
behaviour.
Rosenhan and Seligman suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features and the more features
an individual has the more they are classed as abnormal.
Observer discomfort: Displaying any behaviour which is uncomfortable to the observer.
Personal distress: Behaviour which causes the person stress.
Irrationality: Behaviour which cannot be explained rationally.
Unpredictability: Behaviour which is unexpected and characterised by a loss of control.
Maladaptive behaviour: Behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals, both socially and
occupationally.
Unconventionality: Unconventional behaviour.
Violation of moral standards: Behaviour violating social norms.
EVALUATION:
(-) Such a definition suffers from cultural bias as it will inevitably be related to how one culture believes an
individual should live their lives. Basing abnormality on the basis of failing to function is likely to lead to different
diagnoses when applied to people from different cultures or even socio-economic classes. For example, people
from lower-class non-white backgrounds are often diagnosed with more mental disorders and their lifestyles and
values being different may be one explanation for this.
(+) The definition attempts to look from the perception of the 'patient'. It captures the experiences of many people
who need help, providing a useful criteria for abnormality.
(-) It is difficult to assess personal distress, at times it can be considered normal to experience personal distress
for example, bereavement. \/Vho decides what is adequate personal distress and what amount is abnormal.
oeviafipn tmro icteat roeotat beaftb·
Jahoda provides a set of characteristics which are defined as normal and any deviation from these traits
would define someone as abnormal.
Self attitudes ~ High self esteem and a strong sense of self.
Personal self growth and self actualisation ~We develop full capabilities.
lntergration ~ Can_cope with stress and stressful situations.
Autonomy ~We can be independent and self regulated.
Accurate perception of reality ~We are rational and perceive ourselves accurately.
Mastery of the environment~ We have the ability to love, work and enjoy our leisure, and adjust to
new situations.
T_h e absence of th~se criteria suggest abnormality and a potential psychological disorder.
EVALUATION:
(-) Most of.the criteria are c~lture bound to western european and north american cultures, cultural relativism, self
actualisation is a prime goal in individualistic cultures but not in collectivist cultures, in these cultures it would be
seen as abnormal to be independent.
(+) It makes clear how everyone can improve their mental health. It covers a broad range of mental health and
could be a reason why someone would seek help from mental health services.
(-) Perceptions of reality change over time as seeing visions was a positive sign of religious commitment but is
now perceived as a sign of schizophrenia.
