AO3 Psychopathology :
Definitions of abnormality :
Abnormality Strengths : Limitations :
definitions :
Deviation 1. Allows us to distinguish between 1. Social norms change over time
from social desirable and undesirable - What was considered abnormal in 1950
norms behaviour may not be viewed as abnormal today.
- Social rules are - Being an unmarried mother in the 1940’s
established in order to and 1950’s would be breaking social
help people live together. norms and therefore this behaviour was
- According to the definition, classed as abnormal.
abnormal behaviour is - This is a limitation as this example shows,
behaviour that damages it is not the individual who has changed
others. but the classification of the behaviour by
- THEREFORE, it offers a society. This brings into question the
practical and useful way of validity of using this definition alone to
identifying undesirable define abnormality.
and damaging behaviour, 2. Social norms differ between cultures and this
which alerts others to get may be problematic
help for the person - For example in British culture it is
concerned. considered to be polite to finish the food
on your plate at mealtimes.
- However, in India, to finish all food from
you plate is a sign that you are still
hungry.
- This is a limitation because shows that
what is considered ‘normal’ in one culture
may actually be ‘abnormal’ in another.
This means that this definition does not
consistently produce an accurate
definition of abnormal behaviour.
3. The deviation from Social norms definition of
abnormality is limited
- It suggests that all behaviour which
breaks social norms is “abnormal” and it
doesn’t distinguish between socially
deviant behaviour and mental
abnormality.
- For example, someone found guilty of
being a drink-driver may have broken a
social norm, but they are not considered
to have a mental abnormality.
- This is a limitation because it shows that
the deviation from social norms definition
is inadequate in identifying abnormality
as there are many behaviours that are
clearly socially deviant but not
psychological abnormalities
Statistical 1. Statistical infrequency is 1. Some abnormal behaviours are desirable
Infrequency sometimes appropriate - For example, very few people have an IQ
- For example, intellectual over 150 but this abnormality is desirable
disability is defined in not undesirable
terms of the normal - Also, there are some ‘normal’ behaviours
distribution using the are undesirable eg experiencing
concept of standard depression is relatively common
deviation to establish a - THEREFORE using statistical infrequency
cut-off point for to define abnormality means we are
abnormality. Anyone unable to distinguish between desirable &
whose IQ is more than two undesirable behaviours
standard deviations below 2. The cut-off point is subjective
the mean is judged as - We need to determine where to separate
having a mental disorder. normality from abnormality
- EG one of the symptoms of depression is
difficulty sleeping. Some people might
think that abnormal sleep is less than 6
hours whereas others think cut-off should
be 5 hours → difficult to define
abnormality when using statistical
infrequency
, 3. Cultural relativism
- An issue is that behaviours that are
statistically infrequent in one culture may
be statistically more frequent in another.
- For example, one of the symptoms of
schizophrenia is claiming to hear voices.
However, this is an experience that is
common in some cultures.
- THEREFORE in practise there are no
universal standards for labelling a
behaviour as abnormal
Failure to 1. The definition provides a practical 1. Failing to function does not always indicate the
function checklist of several criterias presence of a psychological abnormality
adequately individuals can use to check their - For example, someone who loses their job
level of abnormality. will not be able to get up and go to
- It matches the sufferers' work/earn money for their family, etc…
perceptions. As most - This may cause them personal distress
people seeking clinical but it does not indicate an abnormality.
help believe that they are - This is a limitation as environmental
suffering from factors may cause a failure to function
psychological problems rather than any psychological
that interfere with the abnormality and so questions the validity
ability to function properly, of using this definition to identify
it supports the definition. abnormality.
- Uses GAF scale 2. Presence of abnormality doesn't result in failure
=measurable to function
- E.g. Someone with depression can still be
able to hold a job and run a family
successfully.
- Many celebrities, e.g. David Beckham who
has OCD, suffers from abnormalities but
still carries out everyday tasks.
- This is a limitation as shows that the
definition is inadequate in identifying
behaviours that may be considered
abnormal
3. Behaviour that looks as if it is a “failure to
function” may actually be behaviour that is
admired by some in society
- Some political prisoners who go on a
hunger strike as part of their political
protest will often be respected.
- This is a limitation because although
starving yourself may be seen as
irrational, maladaptive and
unpredictable, it is understandable in a
particular social context and therefore
would not be classed as a mental
abnormality.
Ideal mental 1. It is a positive approach 1. Many of Jahoda’s mental health criteria are
health - It offers an alternative culture-bound
perspective on mental - For example, the goal of self-actualisation
disorder & focuses on the is relevant to members of individualistic
‘ideal’ → what is desirable cultures but not collectivist cultures where
rather than undesirable people promote the needs of the group,
- Jahoda’s ideas have had not themselves.
influence and are in - SO if we apply the criteria to people from
accord with the ‘positive collectivist or non-middle-class social
psychology’ movement, for groups, we will probably find higher
example Maslow & Rogers incidence of abnormality
who studied humanistic - THEREFORE this limits the usefulness of
psychology the ideal mental health definition to
- THEREFORE a strength is certain social groups
that it is a positive 2. The definition is problematic, as the
approach & has characteristics of Ideal Mental Health are seen
humanistic influences as far too idealistic
- Evidence to support this comes from
Maslow (1968) who argued that only a few
people ever achieve ‘self-actualisation’
and so the criteria is set too high
- This is a limitation because if this is true,
most people are unable to achieve
self-actualisation which means that the
majority would be defined as being
Definitions of abnormality :
Abnormality Strengths : Limitations :
definitions :
Deviation 1. Allows us to distinguish between 1. Social norms change over time
from social desirable and undesirable - What was considered abnormal in 1950
norms behaviour may not be viewed as abnormal today.
- Social rules are - Being an unmarried mother in the 1940’s
established in order to and 1950’s would be breaking social
help people live together. norms and therefore this behaviour was
- According to the definition, classed as abnormal.
abnormal behaviour is - This is a limitation as this example shows,
behaviour that damages it is not the individual who has changed
others. but the classification of the behaviour by
- THEREFORE, it offers a society. This brings into question the
practical and useful way of validity of using this definition alone to
identifying undesirable define abnormality.
and damaging behaviour, 2. Social norms differ between cultures and this
which alerts others to get may be problematic
help for the person - For example in British culture it is
concerned. considered to be polite to finish the food
on your plate at mealtimes.
- However, in India, to finish all food from
you plate is a sign that you are still
hungry.
- This is a limitation because shows that
what is considered ‘normal’ in one culture
may actually be ‘abnormal’ in another.
This means that this definition does not
consistently produce an accurate
definition of abnormal behaviour.
3. The deviation from Social norms definition of
abnormality is limited
- It suggests that all behaviour which
breaks social norms is “abnormal” and it
doesn’t distinguish between socially
deviant behaviour and mental
abnormality.
- For example, someone found guilty of
being a drink-driver may have broken a
social norm, but they are not considered
to have a mental abnormality.
- This is a limitation because it shows that
the deviation from social norms definition
is inadequate in identifying abnormality
as there are many behaviours that are
clearly socially deviant but not
psychological abnormalities
Statistical 1. Statistical infrequency is 1. Some abnormal behaviours are desirable
Infrequency sometimes appropriate - For example, very few people have an IQ
- For example, intellectual over 150 but this abnormality is desirable
disability is defined in not undesirable
terms of the normal - Also, there are some ‘normal’ behaviours
distribution using the are undesirable eg experiencing
concept of standard depression is relatively common
deviation to establish a - THEREFORE using statistical infrequency
cut-off point for to define abnormality means we are
abnormality. Anyone unable to distinguish between desirable &
whose IQ is more than two undesirable behaviours
standard deviations below 2. The cut-off point is subjective
the mean is judged as - We need to determine where to separate
having a mental disorder. normality from abnormality
- EG one of the symptoms of depression is
difficulty sleeping. Some people might
think that abnormal sleep is less than 6
hours whereas others think cut-off should
be 5 hours → difficult to define
abnormality when using statistical
infrequency
, 3. Cultural relativism
- An issue is that behaviours that are
statistically infrequent in one culture may
be statistically more frequent in another.
- For example, one of the symptoms of
schizophrenia is claiming to hear voices.
However, this is an experience that is
common in some cultures.
- THEREFORE in practise there are no
universal standards for labelling a
behaviour as abnormal
Failure to 1. The definition provides a practical 1. Failing to function does not always indicate the
function checklist of several criterias presence of a psychological abnormality
adequately individuals can use to check their - For example, someone who loses their job
level of abnormality. will not be able to get up and go to
- It matches the sufferers' work/earn money for their family, etc…
perceptions. As most - This may cause them personal distress
people seeking clinical but it does not indicate an abnormality.
help believe that they are - This is a limitation as environmental
suffering from factors may cause a failure to function
psychological problems rather than any psychological
that interfere with the abnormality and so questions the validity
ability to function properly, of using this definition to identify
it supports the definition. abnormality.
- Uses GAF scale 2. Presence of abnormality doesn't result in failure
=measurable to function
- E.g. Someone with depression can still be
able to hold a job and run a family
successfully.
- Many celebrities, e.g. David Beckham who
has OCD, suffers from abnormalities but
still carries out everyday tasks.
- This is a limitation as shows that the
definition is inadequate in identifying
behaviours that may be considered
abnormal
3. Behaviour that looks as if it is a “failure to
function” may actually be behaviour that is
admired by some in society
- Some political prisoners who go on a
hunger strike as part of their political
protest will often be respected.
- This is a limitation because although
starving yourself may be seen as
irrational, maladaptive and
unpredictable, it is understandable in a
particular social context and therefore
would not be classed as a mental
abnormality.
Ideal mental 1. It is a positive approach 1. Many of Jahoda’s mental health criteria are
health - It offers an alternative culture-bound
perspective on mental - For example, the goal of self-actualisation
disorder & focuses on the is relevant to members of individualistic
‘ideal’ → what is desirable cultures but not collectivist cultures where
rather than undesirable people promote the needs of the group,
- Jahoda’s ideas have had not themselves.
influence and are in - SO if we apply the criteria to people from
accord with the ‘positive collectivist or non-middle-class social
psychology’ movement, for groups, we will probably find higher
example Maslow & Rogers incidence of abnormality
who studied humanistic - THEREFORE this limits the usefulness of
psychology the ideal mental health definition to
- THEREFORE a strength is certain social groups
that it is a positive 2. The definition is problematic, as the
approach & has characteristics of Ideal Mental Health are seen
humanistic influences as far too idealistic
- Evidence to support this comes from
Maslow (1968) who argued that only a few
people ever achieve ‘self-actualisation’
and so the criteria is set too high
- This is a limitation because if this is true,
most people are unable to achieve
self-actualisation which means that the
majority would be defined as being
