Definitions of abnormality
Statistical infrequency
- Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic
- Any ‘usual’ behaviour can be considered as normal
- An example is being more or less intelligent than most of the population
- The average persons (68%) IQ is set at 100 (range from 85-115)
- 2% of people have a score below 70 - They are liable for receive a diagnosis
of intellectual disability disorder (IDD)
- IDD begins in childhood and is Characterised by intellectual, conceptual and
social difficulties
S – real world application
P - strength of statistical infrequency is its practical value in clinical settings,
particularly for diagnosing mental health disorders and assessing symptom severity.
E – E.g, intellectual disability disorder is diagnosed when an individual’s IQ is below 70,
placing them in the bottom 2%. Similarly, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) indicates
severe depression when a score exceeds 30, placing the individual in the top 5%.
E - statistical infrequency is an effective tool for providing a clear, empirical basis for
diagnosis. The DSM-5 relies on similar criteria to guide clinical decision-making and
standardise diagnostic approaches.
L - This is a strength because statistical infrequency offers a consistent, data-driven
method for identifying abnormality.
C - However, reliance on statistical infrequency alone may overlook individual
differences and experiences that do not neatly fit into predefined numerical criteria.
This raises concerns about validity, as it may miss the subjective, unique experiences
of individuals, which are essential for a more accurate understanding of abnormality
L – unusual characteristics can be positive
L - One limitation of statistical infrequency is its failure to differentiate between rare
positive and negative traits, potentially mislabelling beneficial characteristics as
abnormal.
E – E.g, while an IQ over 130 is statistically rare, it is not considered abnormal or
problematic. In contrast, a low score on the BDI might suggest minimal depression, but
the individual might still be struggling with other unmeasured aspects of mental health.
E - statistical infrequency does not always align with societal or clinical understandings
of abnormality, as not all rare traits are undesirable or indicative of a disorder.
L - oversimplifies the complexity of abnormality by categorising both negative and
positive rare traits as abnormal, failing to consider the broader context of behaviour and
,its potential value in society. This issue undermines the reliability of the criterion as it
does not account for the positive variations in human traits and behaviour
Deviation from social norms
- Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour
in a community or society.
- Social norms are different for every generation and culture
- According to the DSM-5, Antisocial Personality Disorder is characterised by a
pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring
since age 15, indicated by three or more of the following:
Failure to conform to social norms
Deceitfulness
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
Irritability and aggressiveness
Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others
Consistent irresponsibility
Lack of remorse
S – real world application
P - One strength of using deviation from social norms to define abnormality is its
practical application in diagnosing mental health disorders where there is a clear
violation of societal expectations.
E - For example, antisocial personality disorder is defined by behaviours such as
aggression, deceit, and reckless behaviour, all of which deviate from social norms.
E - This suggests that the criterion of deviation from social norms allows clinicians to
clearly identify disorders that involve behaviours that harm society or the individual.
L - This is a strength because it enables clinicians to accurately identify disorders,
especially when behaviours are clearly outside socially accepted norms.
C - However, societal norms themselves can be problematic as they may not always be
reflective of a fair or ethical standard. This can undermine validity, as social norms are
often culturally dependent and may not represent a universally accepted measure of
abnormality.
L – cultural and situational relativism
P - One limitation of deviation from social norms is that social norms vary across
cultures and situations, which complicates the use of this criterion as a universal
standard.
, E – E.g,hearing voices is seen as abnormal in many Western societies but can be
regarded as a spiritual experience in African and Asian cultures. Similarly, aggression
may be more tolerated in corporate environments than in family settings.
E - what is considered abnormal in one culture may be normal in another, suggesting
that deviation from social norms is culturally dependent.
L - raises concerns about the cultural relativism of social norms, and the potential for
misdiagnosis based on a clinician’s personal or cultural bias, particularly when
applying Western norms in non-Western contexts. This can reduce the validity of
diagnoses when norms differ widely
Failure to function adequately
- Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of everyday
living (functioning adequately). – e.g. cannot hold down a a job
- Rosenhan and Seligman said a person no longer conforms to standard
interpersonal rules (e.g. maintaining eye contact)
- A person experiences severe personal distress
- A person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
S – represents a threshold for help
P - One strength of the failure to function adequately criterion is that it provides a clear
and practical threshold for identifying when individuals need professional help.
E – E.g, around 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each
year, but many continue with daily activities despite their symptoms. Professional help
is typically sought when an individual’s ability to function is seriously impaired.
E - failure to function is a useful way of identifying when a person’s mental health has
deteriorated to the point where intervention is required. This criterion can serve to
prioritise individuals who are most in need of support.
L - provides a clear and actionable framework for determining when professional
intervention is necessary.
However, cultural differences in defining what constitutes “functioning” may impact
the reliability of the diagnosis, especially in diverse societies where functioning may be
perceived differently. While failure to function provides reliability through a clear,
action-oriented framework, its validity can be questioned due to cultural relativism, as
definitions of “functioning” vary across societies, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or
misunderstanding of abnormality
L - discrimination and social control
P - One limitation of the failure to function adequately criterion is that it can easily label
non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal.
Statistical infrequency
- Occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic
- Any ‘usual’ behaviour can be considered as normal
- An example is being more or less intelligent than most of the population
- The average persons (68%) IQ is set at 100 (range from 85-115)
- 2% of people have a score below 70 - They are liable for receive a diagnosis
of intellectual disability disorder (IDD)
- IDD begins in childhood and is Characterised by intellectual, conceptual and
social difficulties
S – real world application
P - strength of statistical infrequency is its practical value in clinical settings,
particularly for diagnosing mental health disorders and assessing symptom severity.
E – E.g, intellectual disability disorder is diagnosed when an individual’s IQ is below 70,
placing them in the bottom 2%. Similarly, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) indicates
severe depression when a score exceeds 30, placing the individual in the top 5%.
E - statistical infrequency is an effective tool for providing a clear, empirical basis for
diagnosis. The DSM-5 relies on similar criteria to guide clinical decision-making and
standardise diagnostic approaches.
L - This is a strength because statistical infrequency offers a consistent, data-driven
method for identifying abnormality.
C - However, reliance on statistical infrequency alone may overlook individual
differences and experiences that do not neatly fit into predefined numerical criteria.
This raises concerns about validity, as it may miss the subjective, unique experiences
of individuals, which are essential for a more accurate understanding of abnormality
L – unusual characteristics can be positive
L - One limitation of statistical infrequency is its failure to differentiate between rare
positive and negative traits, potentially mislabelling beneficial characteristics as
abnormal.
E – E.g, while an IQ over 130 is statistically rare, it is not considered abnormal or
problematic. In contrast, a low score on the BDI might suggest minimal depression, but
the individual might still be struggling with other unmeasured aspects of mental health.
E - statistical infrequency does not always align with societal or clinical understandings
of abnormality, as not all rare traits are undesirable or indicative of a disorder.
L - oversimplifies the complexity of abnormality by categorising both negative and
positive rare traits as abnormal, failing to consider the broader context of behaviour and
,its potential value in society. This issue undermines the reliability of the criterion as it
does not account for the positive variations in human traits and behaviour
Deviation from social norms
- Concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted standards of behaviour
in a community or society.
- Social norms are different for every generation and culture
- According to the DSM-5, Antisocial Personality Disorder is characterised by a
pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring
since age 15, indicated by three or more of the following:
Failure to conform to social norms
Deceitfulness
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
Irritability and aggressiveness
Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others
Consistent irresponsibility
Lack of remorse
S – real world application
P - One strength of using deviation from social norms to define abnormality is its
practical application in diagnosing mental health disorders where there is a clear
violation of societal expectations.
E - For example, antisocial personality disorder is defined by behaviours such as
aggression, deceit, and reckless behaviour, all of which deviate from social norms.
E - This suggests that the criterion of deviation from social norms allows clinicians to
clearly identify disorders that involve behaviours that harm society or the individual.
L - This is a strength because it enables clinicians to accurately identify disorders,
especially when behaviours are clearly outside socially accepted norms.
C - However, societal norms themselves can be problematic as they may not always be
reflective of a fair or ethical standard. This can undermine validity, as social norms are
often culturally dependent and may not represent a universally accepted measure of
abnormality.
L – cultural and situational relativism
P - One limitation of deviation from social norms is that social norms vary across
cultures and situations, which complicates the use of this criterion as a universal
standard.
, E – E.g,hearing voices is seen as abnormal in many Western societies but can be
regarded as a spiritual experience in African and Asian cultures. Similarly, aggression
may be more tolerated in corporate environments than in family settings.
E - what is considered abnormal in one culture may be normal in another, suggesting
that deviation from social norms is culturally dependent.
L - raises concerns about the cultural relativism of social norms, and the potential for
misdiagnosis based on a clinician’s personal or cultural bias, particularly when
applying Western norms in non-Western contexts. This can reduce the validity of
diagnoses when norms differ widely
Failure to function adequately
- Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of everyday
living (functioning adequately). – e.g. cannot hold down a a job
- Rosenhan and Seligman said a person no longer conforms to standard
interpersonal rules (e.g. maintaining eye contact)
- A person experiences severe personal distress
- A person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
S – represents a threshold for help
P - One strength of the failure to function adequately criterion is that it provides a clear
and practical threshold for identifying when individuals need professional help.
E – E.g, around 25% of people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each
year, but many continue with daily activities despite their symptoms. Professional help
is typically sought when an individual’s ability to function is seriously impaired.
E - failure to function is a useful way of identifying when a person’s mental health has
deteriorated to the point where intervention is required. This criterion can serve to
prioritise individuals who are most in need of support.
L - provides a clear and actionable framework for determining when professional
intervention is necessary.
However, cultural differences in defining what constitutes “functioning” may impact
the reliability of the diagnosis, especially in diverse societies where functioning may be
perceived differently. While failure to function provides reliability through a clear,
action-oriented framework, its validity can be questioned due to cultural relativism, as
definitions of “functioning” vary across societies, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or
misunderstanding of abnormality
L - discrimination and social control
P - One limitation of the failure to function adequately criterion is that it can easily label
non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal.
