psychopathology (clinical
psychology)
Abnormality
four definitions of abnormality
1. statistical infrequency
when an individual has a relatively less common characteristic; anomolous
usually for characteristics that can be reliably measured
anything above or below the normal distribution would be considered abnormal
EG: those with an IQ lower than 70 are considered to be abnormal and are liable
to receive a diagnosis of Intellectual Diagnosis Disorder
other uses: manufacturing items, medical diagnoses
evaluation
1. real-world evaluation ✓
used in clinical practice, both as a part of formal diagnosis and as a way to
assess severity of one’s symptoms
EG: Beck Depression Inventory says that score 30+ indicates severe
depression
useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
2. unusual characteristics can be positive ✘
EG: for every IQ under 70, there is an IQ over 130
130 would not be seen as requiring treatment, but 70 would
never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality
3. benefits vs problems ✓ ✘
some benefit from being classified as abnormal
psychopathology (clinical psychology) 1
, EG: having a low IQ could help as would receive help with an IDD, but
also may not help due to social stigma
can bring good and bad
2. deviation from social norms
behaviour that is different from the accepted standards (norms) of behaviour in a
community or society
these are specific to the culture we live in, generation, etc (EG: homosexuality
was abnormal as it went against social norms)
EG: Antisocial Personality Disorder is impulsive, aggressive, and irresponsible.
According to the DSM-5, one symptom is an ‘absence of prosocial internal
standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative
ethical behaviour’
evaluation
1. real-world application ✓
used in clinical practice, especially in diagnosis
EG: Antisocial Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder
value in psychiatry
2. cultural and situational relativism ✘
one person may say someone is abnormal, but another could say they are
normal
EG: superstitious behaviour
difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different situations
and cultures
3. human rights abuses ✘
carries the risk of unfair labelling and leaving a person open to human rights
abuses
EG: nymphomania being used to control women, drapetomania (black
slaves running away) used to control slaves and avoid debates
can be good or bad
3. failure to function adequately
psychopathology (clinical psychology) 2
, when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living
David Rosenham and Martin Seligman (1989) have proposed some additional
signs to help determine when someone is not coping:
1. no longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules (EG: eye contact,
personal space)
2. severe personal distress
3. irrational or dangerous to others or themselves
EG: Intellectual Disability Disorder can only be diagnosed if the patient cannot
function adequately, even if has low IQ (statistical deviation)
evaluation
1. represents threshold for help ✓
most have symptoms of a mental disorder to some degree (Mind Charity → 25%
of UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year), but this
becomes a concern when a person struggles to function adequately
treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
2. Patient’s Perspective is Considered ✓
definition attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual
and acknowledge that the experience of the patient is important
suggests it is useful criterion for assessing abnormality
2. discrimination and social control ✘
easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
EG: not having a job or a permanent address may be seen as abnormal,
but it is very common for people to live ‘off-grid’
those who make unusual choices may be incorrectly labelled abnormal
and thus have their freedom restricted
3. failure to function may not be abnormal ✘
some circumstances call for inadequate functioning to be normal
EG: bereavement
unfair to label as abnormal, HOWEVER… still may need professional
help
psychopathology (clinical psychology) 3
psychology)
Abnormality
four definitions of abnormality
1. statistical infrequency
when an individual has a relatively less common characteristic; anomolous
usually for characteristics that can be reliably measured
anything above or below the normal distribution would be considered abnormal
EG: those with an IQ lower than 70 are considered to be abnormal and are liable
to receive a diagnosis of Intellectual Diagnosis Disorder
other uses: manufacturing items, medical diagnoses
evaluation
1. real-world evaluation ✓
used in clinical practice, both as a part of formal diagnosis and as a way to
assess severity of one’s symptoms
EG: Beck Depression Inventory says that score 30+ indicates severe
depression
useful in diagnostic and assessment processes
2. unusual characteristics can be positive ✘
EG: for every IQ under 70, there is an IQ over 130
130 would not be seen as requiring treatment, but 70 would
never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality
3. benefits vs problems ✓ ✘
some benefit from being classified as abnormal
psychopathology (clinical psychology) 1
, EG: having a low IQ could help as would receive help with an IDD, but
also may not help due to social stigma
can bring good and bad
2. deviation from social norms
behaviour that is different from the accepted standards (norms) of behaviour in a
community or society
these are specific to the culture we live in, generation, etc (EG: homosexuality
was abnormal as it went against social norms)
EG: Antisocial Personality Disorder is impulsive, aggressive, and irresponsible.
According to the DSM-5, one symptom is an ‘absence of prosocial internal
standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative
ethical behaviour’
evaluation
1. real-world application ✓
used in clinical practice, especially in diagnosis
EG: Antisocial Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder
value in psychiatry
2. cultural and situational relativism ✘
one person may say someone is abnormal, but another could say they are
normal
EG: superstitious behaviour
difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different situations
and cultures
3. human rights abuses ✘
carries the risk of unfair labelling and leaving a person open to human rights
abuses
EG: nymphomania being used to control women, drapetomania (black
slaves running away) used to control slaves and avoid debates
can be good or bad
3. failure to function adequately
psychopathology (clinical psychology) 2
, when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living
David Rosenham and Martin Seligman (1989) have proposed some additional
signs to help determine when someone is not coping:
1. no longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules (EG: eye contact,
personal space)
2. severe personal distress
3. irrational or dangerous to others or themselves
EG: Intellectual Disability Disorder can only be diagnosed if the patient cannot
function adequately, even if has low IQ (statistical deviation)
evaluation
1. represents threshold for help ✓
most have symptoms of a mental disorder to some degree (Mind Charity → 25%
of UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year), but this
becomes a concern when a person struggles to function adequately
treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
2. Patient’s Perspective is Considered ✓
definition attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual
and acknowledge that the experience of the patient is important
suggests it is useful criterion for assessing abnormality
2. discrimination and social control ✘
easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
EG: not having a job or a permanent address may be seen as abnormal,
but it is very common for people to live ‘off-grid’
those who make unusual choices may be incorrectly labelled abnormal
and thus have their freedom restricted
3. failure to function may not be abnormal ✘
some circumstances call for inadequate functioning to be normal
EG: bereavement
unfair to label as abnormal, HOWEVER… still may need professional
help
psychopathology (clinical psychology) 3
