Definitions in the field of mental health
Definition of Abnormality (in AQA A-Level Psychology)
In psychology, abnormality refers to a behavior, thought, or emotion that
differs significantly from what is considered typical or acceptable in a given
culture or society.
Statistical Infrequency
When a person has a less common characteristic/behaviour that is statistically uncommon. A
mathematical way of of identifying and explaining abnormal behaviour
Example: IQ and intellectual disability disorder.
Average IQ = 100 (most people have a score in the range of 85-115
Only 2% of people have a score below 70 are are liable to receive a diagnosis of a psychological
disorder:intellectual disability disorder
Evaluation
Real-world application
,Point: A strength of statistical infrequency is that it has practical use in clinical settings.Evidence: It is
often used in the diagnosis and assessment of mental disorders. For example, an IQ score below 70 is one
of the criteria for diagnosing intellectual disability disorder. Explanation: This shows that SI is valuable
as part of the diagnostic process because it provides an objective, measurable way to identify individuals
who may need help or treatment.
Not all statistically unusual traits are negative
Point: A weakness of SI is that not all rare behaviours or characteristics should be considered
abnormal.Evidence: For example, having an extremely high IQ is statistically infrequent, but we would
not typically view this as a mental health problem or something that requires treatment.Explanation:
This suggests that just because a behaviour is rare doesn’t necessarily mean it is undesirable or
abnormal, so SI alone is not a sufficient definition of abnormality.
Subjectivity in cut-off points
Point: A limitation of SI is that the cut-off for what counts as “abnormal” is often arbitrary.Evidence: For
instance, one of the symptoms of depression is disrupted sleep, but there is no clear agreement on what
qualifies as “abnormal” sleep—some may say fewer than 6 hours a night, others may say fewer than
5.Explanation: Because there’s no universally agreed boundary between normal and abnormal in many
cases, this makes SI a less reliable method for defining abnormality.
Deviation from Social Norms
Definition: Behaviours that are different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a
community/society.Example: Antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy)
Evaluation
Point: A strength of this definition is its practical application in clinical diagnosis.Evidence: It’s used to
identify disorders such as antisocial personality disorder where symptoms include a failure to conform
to ethical behavior.Explanation: This supports its usefulness in mental health settings by helping
professionals recognize and label abnormal behavior for treatment.
Point: A limitation is that social norms vary across cultures and situations.Evidence: For example,
hearing voices may be seen as spiritual in some cultures but as schizophrenic in the UK.Explanation:
This cultural and situational relativism makes the definition subjective and unreliable across different
societies.
Point: Another issue is the risk of human rights abuses.Evidence: Historically, diagnoses like
drapetomania (desire to escape slavery) or nymphomania were based on deviations from
, norms.Explanation: This shows the concept can be misused to label nonconformists as mentally ill,
leading to discrimination and ethical concerns.
Failure to Function Adequately
Definition: When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demand of day to day living E.g. we might
decide someone is not functioning adequately when they are unable to maintain basic standards of
nutrition and hygiene or if they cannot hold job a job or maintain relationships
Evaluation
Point: A strength is that it offers a practical threshold for identifying when someone needs help.Evidence:
Mental health charity Mind reports that 25% of the UK experiences some mental illness
yearly.Explanation: This makes the definition valuable for directing support to those in genuine need by
identifying those who are no longer coping.
Point: A limitation is the risk of discrimination and social control.Evidence: People choosing an off-grid
lifestyle or not having a job may be unfairly labeled as abnormal.Explanation: This shows how the
definition may wrongly pathologize alternative lifestyles and restrict personal freedom.
Point: Not all failure to function means abnormality.Evidence: For example, someone grieving may
temporarily struggle with daily life.Explanation: This highlights that the definition may pathologize
normal reactions to difficult life events, reducing its accuracy.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
Definition: occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
Evaluation
Point: A strength is that this is a comprehensive definition.Evidence: It includes a wide range of criteria
covering emotional, cognitive, and social functioning.Explanation: This means it can help professionals
consider a full picture of a person’s mental well-being rather than just the presence of symptoms.
Point: A limitation is cultural bias.Evidence: Jahoda’s criteria are based on Western ideals like personal
achievement and autonomy.Explanation: In collectivist cultures, interdependence may be more valued,
making the criteria culturally specific rather than universal.
Point: Another issue is the unrealistic standard it sets.Evidence: Most people do not meet all six criteria
all the time, such as always having high self-esteem or self-actualizing.Explanation: This means many
people could be wrongly classified as abnormal, reducing the definition’s usefulness.
Definition of Abnormality (in AQA A-Level Psychology)
In psychology, abnormality refers to a behavior, thought, or emotion that
differs significantly from what is considered typical or acceptable in a given
culture or society.
Statistical Infrequency
When a person has a less common characteristic/behaviour that is statistically uncommon. A
mathematical way of of identifying and explaining abnormal behaviour
Example: IQ and intellectual disability disorder.
Average IQ = 100 (most people have a score in the range of 85-115
Only 2% of people have a score below 70 are are liable to receive a diagnosis of a psychological
disorder:intellectual disability disorder
Evaluation
Real-world application
,Point: A strength of statistical infrequency is that it has practical use in clinical settings.Evidence: It is
often used in the diagnosis and assessment of mental disorders. For example, an IQ score below 70 is one
of the criteria for diagnosing intellectual disability disorder. Explanation: This shows that SI is valuable
as part of the diagnostic process because it provides an objective, measurable way to identify individuals
who may need help or treatment.
Not all statistically unusual traits are negative
Point: A weakness of SI is that not all rare behaviours or characteristics should be considered
abnormal.Evidence: For example, having an extremely high IQ is statistically infrequent, but we would
not typically view this as a mental health problem or something that requires treatment.Explanation:
This suggests that just because a behaviour is rare doesn’t necessarily mean it is undesirable or
abnormal, so SI alone is not a sufficient definition of abnormality.
Subjectivity in cut-off points
Point: A limitation of SI is that the cut-off for what counts as “abnormal” is often arbitrary.Evidence: For
instance, one of the symptoms of depression is disrupted sleep, but there is no clear agreement on what
qualifies as “abnormal” sleep—some may say fewer than 6 hours a night, others may say fewer than
5.Explanation: Because there’s no universally agreed boundary between normal and abnormal in many
cases, this makes SI a less reliable method for defining abnormality.
Deviation from Social Norms
Definition: Behaviours that are different from the accepted standards of behaviour in a
community/society.Example: Antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy)
Evaluation
Point: A strength of this definition is its practical application in clinical diagnosis.Evidence: It’s used to
identify disorders such as antisocial personality disorder where symptoms include a failure to conform
to ethical behavior.Explanation: This supports its usefulness in mental health settings by helping
professionals recognize and label abnormal behavior for treatment.
Point: A limitation is that social norms vary across cultures and situations.Evidence: For example,
hearing voices may be seen as spiritual in some cultures but as schizophrenic in the UK.Explanation:
This cultural and situational relativism makes the definition subjective and unreliable across different
societies.
Point: Another issue is the risk of human rights abuses.Evidence: Historically, diagnoses like
drapetomania (desire to escape slavery) or nymphomania were based on deviations from
, norms.Explanation: This shows the concept can be misused to label nonconformists as mentally ill,
leading to discrimination and ethical concerns.
Failure to Function Adequately
Definition: When someone is unable to cope with ordinary demand of day to day living E.g. we might
decide someone is not functioning adequately when they are unable to maintain basic standards of
nutrition and hygiene or if they cannot hold job a job or maintain relationships
Evaluation
Point: A strength is that it offers a practical threshold for identifying when someone needs help.Evidence:
Mental health charity Mind reports that 25% of the UK experiences some mental illness
yearly.Explanation: This makes the definition valuable for directing support to those in genuine need by
identifying those who are no longer coping.
Point: A limitation is the risk of discrimination and social control.Evidence: People choosing an off-grid
lifestyle or not having a job may be unfairly labeled as abnormal.Explanation: This shows how the
definition may wrongly pathologize alternative lifestyles and restrict personal freedom.
Point: Not all failure to function means abnormality.Evidence: For example, someone grieving may
temporarily struggle with daily life.Explanation: This highlights that the definition may pathologize
normal reactions to difficult life events, reducing its accuracy.
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
Definition: occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
Evaluation
Point: A strength is that this is a comprehensive definition.Evidence: It includes a wide range of criteria
covering emotional, cognitive, and social functioning.Explanation: This means it can help professionals
consider a full picture of a person’s mental well-being rather than just the presence of symptoms.
Point: A limitation is cultural bias.Evidence: Jahoda’s criteria are based on Western ideals like personal
achievement and autonomy.Explanation: In collectivist cultures, interdependence may be more valued,
making the criteria culturally specific rather than universal.
Point: Another issue is the unrealistic standard it sets.Evidence: Most people do not meet all six criteria
all the time, such as always having high self-esteem or self-actualizing.Explanation: This means many
people could be wrongly classified as abnormal, reducing the definition’s usefulness.
