Definitions of Abnormality
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS
When someone's thinking or behaviour violates social norms
Social Norms: What is seen as acceptable within a particular society
EVALUATION
Strengths Limitations
Distinguishes between desirable and Deviation is mediated by the degree of
undesirable behaviour severity and the context
Ideally, social norms are established to help E.g Walking topless on the beach VS in the
people live together office
Cultural Relativism
Social norms differ between cultures
Hindsight Bias: social norms change over
time
E.g Homosexuality regarded as a mental illness
in the UK until 1973
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY
If someone is unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in
society
Behaviour should cause personal suffering and distress
E.g Depression causes an inability to cope with the demands of everyday life
EVALUATION
Strengths Limitations
Considers the subjective personal Stems from individual differences
experiences of the patient Each person would be diagnosed differently
• Takes viewpoint of the sufferer into even if they show the same psychological and
consideration behavioural symptoms
• Easy to judge objectively, since it can be It is difficult to distinguish between FFA and
judged based on a list of behaviours
deviation from social norms
• Useful model for assessing
• Person could be choosing to choose an
psychopathological behaviour
alternative lifestyle out of the common
system for society
• Labelling individuals as making choices that
"fail" could be rejecting personal freedom
, STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY
A behaviour that is statistically uncommon or not seen very often in society
Normal Distribution Curve can be used to represent the proportions of the population who share
a particular characteristic
EVALUATION
Limitations
There may be an issue of misdiagnosis
• Certain behaviours are statistically common, but are undesirable — 10% of population
experience depression
• Certain behaviours are statistically uncommon and are considered abnormal despite being
desirable — High IQ
Labelling an individual as abnormal is unhelpful and may cause poor self-image
May become an invitation for discrimination and cause more distress than the condition itself
Cut-off point is subjective
Where to separate normality from abnormality must be decided
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH
Jahoda (1958) — Abnormal behaviour is defined by the absence of particular ideal
characteristics
1. Having high self-esteem with a strong sense of identity
2. Being capable of personal growth and self-actualisation
3. Being independent of others and self-regulating
4. Having an accurate view of reality
5. Being able to integrate and resist stress
6. Being able to master your environment
EVALUATION
Strengths Limitations
Positive and holistic stance Criteria is unrealistic
• Focuses on positive and desirable traits, and People would be classified as abnormal
considers the whole person irrespective of the circumstances which are
• Takes into account a multitude of factors that outside their control
affect their health and well-being • E.g experiencing stress because of a death
of a loved one
Cultural Relativism
Emphasis on personal growth and
development may be considered overly self-
centred in other countries of the world who
favour community over individualism
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS
When someone's thinking or behaviour violates social norms
Social Norms: What is seen as acceptable within a particular society
EVALUATION
Strengths Limitations
Distinguishes between desirable and Deviation is mediated by the degree of
undesirable behaviour severity and the context
Ideally, social norms are established to help E.g Walking topless on the beach VS in the
people live together office
Cultural Relativism
Social norms differ between cultures
Hindsight Bias: social norms change over
time
E.g Homosexuality regarded as a mental illness
in the UK until 1973
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY
If someone is unable to cope with the demands of everyday life and live independently in
society
Behaviour should cause personal suffering and distress
E.g Depression causes an inability to cope with the demands of everyday life
EVALUATION
Strengths Limitations
Considers the subjective personal Stems from individual differences
experiences of the patient Each person would be diagnosed differently
• Takes viewpoint of the sufferer into even if they show the same psychological and
consideration behavioural symptoms
• Easy to judge objectively, since it can be It is difficult to distinguish between FFA and
judged based on a list of behaviours
deviation from social norms
• Useful model for assessing
• Person could be choosing to choose an
psychopathological behaviour
alternative lifestyle out of the common
system for society
• Labelling individuals as making choices that
"fail" could be rejecting personal freedom
, STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY
A behaviour that is statistically uncommon or not seen very often in society
Normal Distribution Curve can be used to represent the proportions of the population who share
a particular characteristic
EVALUATION
Limitations
There may be an issue of misdiagnosis
• Certain behaviours are statistically common, but are undesirable — 10% of population
experience depression
• Certain behaviours are statistically uncommon and are considered abnormal despite being
desirable — High IQ
Labelling an individual as abnormal is unhelpful and may cause poor self-image
May become an invitation for discrimination and cause more distress than the condition itself
Cut-off point is subjective
Where to separate normality from abnormality must be decided
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH
Jahoda (1958) — Abnormal behaviour is defined by the absence of particular ideal
characteristics
1. Having high self-esteem with a strong sense of identity
2. Being capable of personal growth and self-actualisation
3. Being independent of others and self-regulating
4. Having an accurate view of reality
5. Being able to integrate and resist stress
6. Being able to master your environment
EVALUATION
Strengths Limitations
Positive and holistic stance Criteria is unrealistic
• Focuses on positive and desirable traits, and People would be classified as abnormal
considers the whole person irrespective of the circumstances which are
• Takes into account a multitude of factors that outside their control
affect their health and well-being • E.g experiencing stress because of a death
of a loved one
Cultural Relativism
Emphasis on personal growth and
development may be considered overly self-
centred in other countries of the world who
favour community over individualism
