Definitions of Abnormality (1)
AO1 - knowledge AO3 - evaluation
Statistical infrequency Strength - Real world application
Used in clinical practice, as a part of clinical diagnosis and as a way to assess the severity of a
Perhaps the most obvious way to identify anything as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ is patient’s symptoms. For example, a diagnosis of IDD requires a score below 70.
according to how often we come across it. According to statistical infrequency,
anything that is usual is ‘normal’ and anything that is unusual is ‘abnormal’.
IQ and intellectual disability disorder
Intelligence across all humans will cluster around the average, and the further we
go above or below that average, the fewer people will attain that score. This is
normal distribution. Most people (68%) have a score from 85 to 115. Individuals Weakness - Unusual characteristics can be positive
Infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative. There is an equal percentage of
scoring below 70 (2%) are deemed abnormal and likely to be diagnosed with IDD.
people with IQs above 130, yet they are not considered abnormal. This method is therefore not
significant enough to be the sole basis of defining abnormality.
Deviation from social norms
When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to
behave, or goes against what is acceptable. Strength - Real world application
Used in clinical practice, for example, the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality
Norms are specific to the culture we live in disorder is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour. This shows that
There are very few behaviours we consider universally abnormal. For example, deviation from social norms has value in psychiatry.
homosexuality was considered abnormal in our culture in the past and continues
to be considered abnormal in some cultures today (Brunei)
Example: antisocial personality disorder
Those with psychopathy are impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. According
to the DSM-5, an important symptom of those with psychopathy is a “failure to Weakness - Cultural and situational relativism
conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour”. A person from one cultural group may label another as abnormal using their standards rather
than the other person’s standards. For example, hearing voices is the norm in some cultures
(hearing ancestors) but would be seen as abnormal in the UK. Even within cultures, deceitful
behaviour may be more unacceptable in family life than in the context of corporate deal-
making.
, Definitions of Abnormality (2)
AO1 - knowledge AO3 - evaluation
Failure to function adequately Strength - Represents a threshold for help
According to the mental health charity Mind, around 25% of people in the UK will experience a
A person may cross the line between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ when they can no mental health problem in any given year. Many people in these circumstances still continue to
longer cope with the demands of everyday life, like maintaining basic standards press on. It is only when these symptoms prevent us from functioning adequately that we seek
of nutrition and hygiene, hold down a job or maintain relationships with others. professional help or are noticed by others. This criterion means that treatment can be given to
Rosenhan and Seligman’s signs: those that need it most.
● When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules,
maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space
● When a person experiences severe personal distress Weakness - Discrimination and social control
● When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to It is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. For example, not having a job or
themselves or others permanent address might seem like failing to function, however some individuals choose to live
Example: intellectual disability disorder life ‘off-grid’ or are travellers. Also, those who favour high-risk activities could be classed,
unreasonably, as irrational and a danger to themselves. These people may be labelled
Those diagnosed with IDD must also be failing to function adequately as well as abnormal and their freedom of choice could be restricted.
having a low IQ
Deviation from ideal mental health Strength - A comprehensive definition
A different way to look at abnormality is to ignore the issue of what makes Jahoda’s concept of an ideal mental health covers most reasons why we might seek help. This
someone abnormal but instead think about what makes anyone ‘normal’. means that an individual’s mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of
Jahoda’s (1958) mental health criteria: professionals who might take different theoretical views. This means that ideal mental health
● No symptoms or distress provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss
psychological issues with a range of professionals.
● Rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
● We self-actualise
● We can cope with stress
● We have a realistic view of the world Weakness - Culture-bound
● Good self-esteem and lack guilt Jahoda’s criteria are firmly based in the context of the US and Europe. In particular, the
concept of self-actualisation would probably be dismissed as self-indulgent in muhc of the
● Independent world. Even within Europe there is variation in the value of personal independence e.g high in
● We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure. Germany, low in Italy. This means that it is very difficult to apply across cultures.
AO1 - knowledge AO3 - evaluation
Statistical infrequency Strength - Real world application
Used in clinical practice, as a part of clinical diagnosis and as a way to assess the severity of a
Perhaps the most obvious way to identify anything as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ is patient’s symptoms. For example, a diagnosis of IDD requires a score below 70.
according to how often we come across it. According to statistical infrequency,
anything that is usual is ‘normal’ and anything that is unusual is ‘abnormal’.
IQ and intellectual disability disorder
Intelligence across all humans will cluster around the average, and the further we
go above or below that average, the fewer people will attain that score. This is
normal distribution. Most people (68%) have a score from 85 to 115. Individuals Weakness - Unusual characteristics can be positive
Infrequent characteristics can be positive as well as negative. There is an equal percentage of
scoring below 70 (2%) are deemed abnormal and likely to be diagnosed with IDD.
people with IQs above 130, yet they are not considered abnormal. This method is therefore not
significant enough to be the sole basis of defining abnormality.
Deviation from social norms
When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to
behave, or goes against what is acceptable. Strength - Real world application
Used in clinical practice, for example, the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality
Norms are specific to the culture we live in disorder is the failure to conform to culturally acceptable ethical behaviour. This shows that
There are very few behaviours we consider universally abnormal. For example, deviation from social norms has value in psychiatry.
homosexuality was considered abnormal in our culture in the past and continues
to be considered abnormal in some cultures today (Brunei)
Example: antisocial personality disorder
Those with psychopathy are impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. According
to the DSM-5, an important symptom of those with psychopathy is a “failure to Weakness - Cultural and situational relativism
conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour”. A person from one cultural group may label another as abnormal using their standards rather
than the other person’s standards. For example, hearing voices is the norm in some cultures
(hearing ancestors) but would be seen as abnormal in the UK. Even within cultures, deceitful
behaviour may be more unacceptable in family life than in the context of corporate deal-
making.
, Definitions of Abnormality (2)
AO1 - knowledge AO3 - evaluation
Failure to function adequately Strength - Represents a threshold for help
According to the mental health charity Mind, around 25% of people in the UK will experience a
A person may cross the line between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ when they can no mental health problem in any given year. Many people in these circumstances still continue to
longer cope with the demands of everyday life, like maintaining basic standards press on. It is only when these symptoms prevent us from functioning adequately that we seek
of nutrition and hygiene, hold down a job or maintain relationships with others. professional help or are noticed by others. This criterion means that treatment can be given to
Rosenhan and Seligman’s signs: those that need it most.
● When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules,
maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space
● When a person experiences severe personal distress Weakness - Discrimination and social control
● When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to It is easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal. For example, not having a job or
themselves or others permanent address might seem like failing to function, however some individuals choose to live
Example: intellectual disability disorder life ‘off-grid’ or are travellers. Also, those who favour high-risk activities could be classed,
unreasonably, as irrational and a danger to themselves. These people may be labelled
Those diagnosed with IDD must also be failing to function adequately as well as abnormal and their freedom of choice could be restricted.
having a low IQ
Deviation from ideal mental health Strength - A comprehensive definition
A different way to look at abnormality is to ignore the issue of what makes Jahoda’s concept of an ideal mental health covers most reasons why we might seek help. This
someone abnormal but instead think about what makes anyone ‘normal’. means that an individual’s mental health can be discussed meaningfully with a range of
Jahoda’s (1958) mental health criteria: professionals who might take different theoretical views. This means that ideal mental health
● No symptoms or distress provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss
psychological issues with a range of professionals.
● Rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
● We self-actualise
● We can cope with stress
● We have a realistic view of the world Weakness - Culture-bound
● Good self-esteem and lack guilt Jahoda’s criteria are firmly based in the context of the US and Europe. In particular, the
concept of self-actualisation would probably be dismissed as self-indulgent in muhc of the
● Independent world. Even within Europe there is variation in the value of personal independence e.g high in
● We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure. Germany, low in Italy. This means that it is very difficult to apply across cultures.
