DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
AO1:
Deviation from social norms (DSN):
• In society there are social norms – standards are acceptable behaviour that are set by social groups e.g. not wa
these are unwritten but they are generally accepted
• Abnormal behaviour is anything that goes against (deviates from) the unwritten rules and norms e.g. talking to
• e.g. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) – a person with APD is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. Peopl
not conform to our moral standards
AO2/AO3:
� Supports general ideas of abnormality ー Social norms change over time ー Lac
P A strength of the DSN definition of abnormality P A weakness of this definition of abnormality is P A fu
is that is has face validity, it supports the that social norms change over time and of a
general views that most people have of what therefore what is defined by society as normal E For
abnormality is is not constant and change as social attitudes acc
E For example, someone with schizophrenia change cult
would deviate from social norms as they may E For example, homosexuality was once abn
be talking to themselves or showing obviously considered abnormal behaviour because it E This
irrational decision making and behaviour broke the social norms of the day and was trem
E This means it is easy for people of the general even classed as an abnormality in the DSM Ap
population to identify abnormality within E This is an issue as it means that behaviours beh
people they know or people around them and considered abnormal now may not be (ba
advise them to get help. Having obvious considered that way in the future. It is not the
deviations from the norms also makes it easier ideal to have a definition of abnormality that wit
for clinicians to identify illnesses and treat does not stay consistent from time to time L The
them accordingly L Therefore we have to be careful when using cau
L Therefore this is a strength of the explanation DSN as a way of defining abnormality as it may per
as using this, is bound to lead to valid diagnosis lead to invalid diagnosis
AO1:
Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH):
● This definition starts from what it normal/mentally healthy and works backwards from that. Jahoda suggested
characteristics
1. Positive attitude towards self – self esteem, confidence and respect. Valuing yourself as a person and seeing y
2. Self-actualisation and personal growth – constantly striving to be the best that you can to reach your full pote
3. Being resistant to stress – being able to cope with the demands of life
4. Personal autonomy – not being reliant or dependent on other people, getting through life based on your own
5. Accurate perception of reality – viewing the world in an objective manner based on evidence. Distinguishing b
6. Environmental mastery – to be able to cope/handle/adapt to changes in your environment
● The more characteristics an individual fails to meet and the further they are away from realising individual cha
● e.g. someone suffering from schizophrenia may have psychosis (detachment of reality) and therefore deviate f
an accurate perception of reality
AO2/AO3:
� Positive approach to viewing abnormality ー Lacks cultural relativism ー Unr
P A strength of the DIMH definition is that it P A further limitation of the DIMH is that the P A li
offers an alternative view on mental disorders characteristics listed by Jahoda above are it h
by focusing on the positives rather than the rooted in western societies and a western view high
AO1:
Deviation from social norms (DSN):
• In society there are social norms – standards are acceptable behaviour that are set by social groups e.g. not wa
these are unwritten but they are generally accepted
• Abnormal behaviour is anything that goes against (deviates from) the unwritten rules and norms e.g. talking to
• e.g. Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) – a person with APD is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible. Peopl
not conform to our moral standards
AO2/AO3:
� Supports general ideas of abnormality ー Social norms change over time ー Lac
P A strength of the DSN definition of abnormality P A weakness of this definition of abnormality is P A fu
is that is has face validity, it supports the that social norms change over time and of a
general views that most people have of what therefore what is defined by society as normal E For
abnormality is is not constant and change as social attitudes acc
E For example, someone with schizophrenia change cult
would deviate from social norms as they may E For example, homosexuality was once abn
be talking to themselves or showing obviously considered abnormal behaviour because it E This
irrational decision making and behaviour broke the social norms of the day and was trem
E This means it is easy for people of the general even classed as an abnormality in the DSM Ap
population to identify abnormality within E This is an issue as it means that behaviours beh
people they know or people around them and considered abnormal now may not be (ba
advise them to get help. Having obvious considered that way in the future. It is not the
deviations from the norms also makes it easier ideal to have a definition of abnormality that wit
for clinicians to identify illnesses and treat does not stay consistent from time to time L The
them accordingly L Therefore we have to be careful when using cau
L Therefore this is a strength of the explanation DSN as a way of defining abnormality as it may per
as using this, is bound to lead to valid diagnosis lead to invalid diagnosis
AO1:
Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH):
● This definition starts from what it normal/mentally healthy and works backwards from that. Jahoda suggested
characteristics
1. Positive attitude towards self – self esteem, confidence and respect. Valuing yourself as a person and seeing y
2. Self-actualisation and personal growth – constantly striving to be the best that you can to reach your full pote
3. Being resistant to stress – being able to cope with the demands of life
4. Personal autonomy – not being reliant or dependent on other people, getting through life based on your own
5. Accurate perception of reality – viewing the world in an objective manner based on evidence. Distinguishing b
6. Environmental mastery – to be able to cope/handle/adapt to changes in your environment
● The more characteristics an individual fails to meet and the further they are away from realising individual cha
● e.g. someone suffering from schizophrenia may have psychosis (detachment of reality) and therefore deviate f
an accurate perception of reality
AO2/AO3:
� Positive approach to viewing abnormality ー Lacks cultural relativism ー Unr
P A strength of the DIMH definition is that it P A further limitation of the DIMH is that the P A li
offers an alternative view on mental disorders characteristics listed by Jahoda above are it h
by focusing on the positives rather than the rooted in western societies and a western view high
