One definition of abnormality is statistical infrequency. According to this definition, one is abnormal
when they possess a characteristic which is deviates from the average or is uncommon. This can be
displayed in a normal distribution graph, in which the majority of scores will cluster around the
middle, which is average. IN a normal distribution graph, the further away you are from average, the
less people there will be. An example of this is IQ numbers, in which majority of the population will
place around average, and those with exceptionally high or low IQs will be classed as abnormal.
A weakness of this definition is that some characteristic that are uncommon can in fact be positive or
beneficial. For example, having a higher IQ is a desirable trait in many cases, but is classed as
abnormal just because they deviate from the populations average. The word ‘abnormal’ implies that
it must be treated, so that the person can become normal, but not all abnormalities are negative.
For this reason, statistical infrequency would never be used alone to make a diagnosis.
Another definition of abnormality is deviation from social norms. According to this definition, one is
seen as abnormal if they display characteristics or behaviour that does not fit in with their
communities' expectations. Societies decide which behaviours are seen as abnormal, usually based
on ow offensive it is compared to the societal norms. AN example of this is psychopathy. Those who
have this disorder are often aggressive, irrational and impulsive. A social judgement is usually made
that psychopaths are abnormal because they do not conform to our moral standards.
A strength of this definition is that it is flexible based on the different places or times that behaviour
is recorded. For example, it is unacceptable to wear a bikini whilst shopping, but acceptable to wear
a bikini at a beach. The flexibility of this definition means that we are able to make more defined
decisions on what is abnormal and what is normal, meaning that not everyone will be seen as
abnormal without a guided diagnosis. Living in the same culture for a period of time means you are
more likely to have gauged what is acceptable and what is not, allowing society to be ordered.
when they possess a characteristic which is deviates from the average or is uncommon. This can be
displayed in a normal distribution graph, in which the majority of scores will cluster around the
middle, which is average. IN a normal distribution graph, the further away you are from average, the
less people there will be. An example of this is IQ numbers, in which majority of the population will
place around average, and those with exceptionally high or low IQs will be classed as abnormal.
A weakness of this definition is that some characteristic that are uncommon can in fact be positive or
beneficial. For example, having a higher IQ is a desirable trait in many cases, but is classed as
abnormal just because they deviate from the populations average. The word ‘abnormal’ implies that
it must be treated, so that the person can become normal, but not all abnormalities are negative.
For this reason, statistical infrequency would never be used alone to make a diagnosis.
Another definition of abnormality is deviation from social norms. According to this definition, one is
seen as abnormal if they display characteristics or behaviour that does not fit in with their
communities' expectations. Societies decide which behaviours are seen as abnormal, usually based
on ow offensive it is compared to the societal norms. AN example of this is psychopathy. Those who
have this disorder are often aggressive, irrational and impulsive. A social judgement is usually made
that psychopaths are abnormal because they do not conform to our moral standards.
A strength of this definition is that it is flexible based on the different places or times that behaviour
is recorded. For example, it is unacceptable to wear a bikini whilst shopping, but acceptable to wear
a bikini at a beach. The flexibility of this definition means that we are able to make more defined
decisions on what is abnormal and what is normal, meaning that not everyone will be seen as
abnormal without a guided diagnosis. Living in the same culture for a period of time means you are
more likely to have gauged what is acceptable and what is not, allowing society to be ordered.
