5. Psychopathology
Definitions of abnormality:
1. Statistical infrequency: behaviour that does not occur often and is therefore statistically infrequent
o Expressed in terms of a normal distribution. Person is statistically infrequent if outside a certain
% deviation.
EVALUATION:
+ Real-life application
o Useful for the diagnosis of intellectual disabilities; symptoms compared to statistical norms.
o Therefore, useful as a measure of abnormality and for clinical testing.
- No account for desirability of an abnormality
o E.g., a high IQ is a desirable abnormality. Should not be labelled negatively.
o Therefore, statistical infrequency should not be used alone for diagnosis.
- May be harmful
o E.g., someone may be content in life and displaying statistically infrequent, non-harmful
behaviour. Labelling this as abnormal may be damaging.
o Therefore, using statistical infrequency to label abnormality may do more harm than good;
could be detrimental.
2. Deviation from social norms: socially deviant behaviour
Behaviour that deviates from the unwritten and expected societal rules; considered
unacceptable.
EVALUATION:
+ Takes desirability into account
o E.g., a high IQ is a desirable abnormality. Should not be labelled negatively, as it would by
other measures.
o Therefore, deviation from social norms is a useful measure of abnormality. Does not mislabel
desirable infrequent behaviours as abnormal.
- May lead to abuse of human rights
o E.g., homosexuality used to deviate from social norms, and would have been labelled
‘abnormal’ to be diagnosed.
o Therefore, deviation from social norms as a measure of abnormality may be used to oppress
and is a potentially harmful method.
- Culturally relative
o Social norms differ culture-by-culture. E.g., in some cultures, it is normal to hear voices
(voices of ancestors), while in others it is not. May be misdiagnosed cross-culturally.
o Therefore, unreliable measure of abnormality cross-culturally and dangerous if used on
those from one culture living in another.
, 3. Deviation from ideal mental health: behaviour that deviates from the ‘optimal’ mental health
Defined by Jahoda’s 6 elements for optimal living:
1. Positive view of the self
2. Self-actualisation
3. Personal autonomy
4. Accurate view of reality
5. Environmental mastery
6. Stress resistance
EVALUATION:
+ Comprehensive definition of abnormality
o Covers all reasons someone may look for mental help and is absolute.
o Therefore, useful and clear definition of abnormality. Objective.
- Idealistic
o No one will possess all 6 elements at once, but not everyone can be classified as ‘abnormal’.
o Therefore, unreliable and potential for misdiagnosis.
- Culturally bound
o Jahoda’s 6 elements for optimal living is specific to Western cultures. E.g., emphasis on ‘personal
autonomy’ is a very Western/individualistic value; would be abnormal in collectivist cultures.
o Therefore, it is an imposed etic. Cannot be used globally.
4. Failure to function adequately: behaviour resulting in the inability to cope with everyday life
Interference with social/occupational wellbeing.
Observer discomfort, unpredictability, maladaptive behaviour, irrationality, personal distress.
EVALUATION:
+ Takes patient’s subjective experience into account
o Acknowledges importance of quality of life in defining abnormality.
o Therefore, useful, and adequately captures the experiences of those in need of support.
- Susceptible to subjectivity
o One patient may be considered distressed and marked as suffering by one doctor but seen as
functioning normally by another.
o Therefore, potentially an ineffective method of defining abnormality.
- Difficult to distinguish between failure to function and deviation from social norms
o E.g., having no permanent address by choice may be considered to failure to function at face
value simply because it deviates from social norms.
o Therefore, as a definition of abnormality, failure to function may limit personal freedom and
potentially mislabel abnormality.
Definitions of abnormality:
1. Statistical infrequency: behaviour that does not occur often and is therefore statistically infrequent
o Expressed in terms of a normal distribution. Person is statistically infrequent if outside a certain
% deviation.
EVALUATION:
+ Real-life application
o Useful for the diagnosis of intellectual disabilities; symptoms compared to statistical norms.
o Therefore, useful as a measure of abnormality and for clinical testing.
- No account for desirability of an abnormality
o E.g., a high IQ is a desirable abnormality. Should not be labelled negatively.
o Therefore, statistical infrequency should not be used alone for diagnosis.
- May be harmful
o E.g., someone may be content in life and displaying statistically infrequent, non-harmful
behaviour. Labelling this as abnormal may be damaging.
o Therefore, using statistical infrequency to label abnormality may do more harm than good;
could be detrimental.
2. Deviation from social norms: socially deviant behaviour
Behaviour that deviates from the unwritten and expected societal rules; considered
unacceptable.
EVALUATION:
+ Takes desirability into account
o E.g., a high IQ is a desirable abnormality. Should not be labelled negatively, as it would by
other measures.
o Therefore, deviation from social norms is a useful measure of abnormality. Does not mislabel
desirable infrequent behaviours as abnormal.
- May lead to abuse of human rights
o E.g., homosexuality used to deviate from social norms, and would have been labelled
‘abnormal’ to be diagnosed.
o Therefore, deviation from social norms as a measure of abnormality may be used to oppress
and is a potentially harmful method.
- Culturally relative
o Social norms differ culture-by-culture. E.g., in some cultures, it is normal to hear voices
(voices of ancestors), while in others it is not. May be misdiagnosed cross-culturally.
o Therefore, unreliable measure of abnormality cross-culturally and dangerous if used on
those from one culture living in another.
, 3. Deviation from ideal mental health: behaviour that deviates from the ‘optimal’ mental health
Defined by Jahoda’s 6 elements for optimal living:
1. Positive view of the self
2. Self-actualisation
3. Personal autonomy
4. Accurate view of reality
5. Environmental mastery
6. Stress resistance
EVALUATION:
+ Comprehensive definition of abnormality
o Covers all reasons someone may look for mental help and is absolute.
o Therefore, useful and clear definition of abnormality. Objective.
- Idealistic
o No one will possess all 6 elements at once, but not everyone can be classified as ‘abnormal’.
o Therefore, unreliable and potential for misdiagnosis.
- Culturally bound
o Jahoda’s 6 elements for optimal living is specific to Western cultures. E.g., emphasis on ‘personal
autonomy’ is a very Western/individualistic value; would be abnormal in collectivist cultures.
o Therefore, it is an imposed etic. Cannot be used globally.
4. Failure to function adequately: behaviour resulting in the inability to cope with everyday life
Interference with social/occupational wellbeing.
Observer discomfort, unpredictability, maladaptive behaviour, irrationality, personal distress.
EVALUATION:
+ Takes patient’s subjective experience into account
o Acknowledges importance of quality of life in defining abnormality.
o Therefore, useful, and adequately captures the experiences of those in need of support.
- Susceptible to subjectivity
o One patient may be considered distressed and marked as suffering by one doctor but seen as
functioning normally by another.
o Therefore, potentially an ineffective method of defining abnormality.
- Difficult to distinguish between failure to function and deviation from social norms
o E.g., having no permanent address by choice may be considered to failure to function at face
value simply because it deviates from social norms.
o Therefore, as a definition of abnormality, failure to function may limit personal freedom and
potentially mislabel abnormality.
