PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Statistical infrequency
Defining abnormality in terms of statistics
Behaviour that is rarely seen is abnormal
E.g. IQ + intellectual disability disorder – IQ is normally distributed.
Average IQ is 100, most people are between 85-115. Only 2% have
below 70. Those below 70 are statistically abnormal – diagnosed w
intellectual disability disorder
Deviation from social norms
Abnormality is based on social context
o When a person behaves in a way that is different from what’s
expected
Three types of consequences of behaviour
E.g. antisocial personality disorder – an important symptom of APD
is failure to conform to ‘lawful + culturally normative ethical
behaviour’. They deviate from social norms – generally lack
empathy
Failure to function adequately
Inability to cope with everyday living
o Cannot deal with demands of life e.g. not being able to hold a
job / maintain relationships
Rosenhan + Seligman – signs of failure to cope:
o No longer to conform to interpersonal rules e.g. personal
space
o Experience personal distress
o Behave in irrational / dangerous ways
E.g. intellectual disability disorder – has to be clear signs that the
person cannot cope w demands of everyday living
Deviation from ideal mental health
Changing the emphasis –
o Identify who deviates from the ideal of what makes someone
‘normal’ + psychologically healthy
Jahoda’s criteria for mental health:
1. No symptoms of distress
2. Rational + perceive ourselves accurately
3. We self-actualise
4. Can cope with stress
5. Realistic view of the world
, 6. Good self-esteem + lack guilt
7. Independent of other people
8. Can successfully work, love + enjoy leisure
EVALUATION
Statistical infrequency
STRENGTH
It’s a more scientific way of defining abnormality
The definition makes use of objective data gathered from
standardised measures + tests, such as IQ tests
It doesn’t rely on subjective interpretations
It reduces the likelihood of misinterpreting info – suggests that
statistical infrequency is a more valid way of determining
abnormality
LIMITATION
Statistical infrequency can only be accurate if all data is available
Mental disorder statistics are only available for those who have been
diagnosed
Could be unrepresentative as those who suffer don’t always seek
help
This results in a distorted picture of the disorder
STRENGTH
Definition has real world application with specific disorders
Statistical infrequency is used in clinical practise to formally
diagnose illnesses
Can assess severity of illnesses, e.g. Beck Depression Inventory
assess the severity of depression
People suffering cam access support services or therapy
LIMITATION
Issue of labelling
Diagnosing an individual as abnormal can be unhelpful
E.g. someone with low IQ is able to live happy without distress
Such a label may contribute to poor self-image or they could be
discriminated against
Being labelled as statistically infrequent could cause more distress –
do more harm than good
LIMITATION
Definition isn’t completely accurate
Can only differentiate between numerically normal + abnormal
behaviour, not desirable / undesirable traits
Abnormal behaviours can occur frequently + are therefore
statistically accurate
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Statistical infrequency
Defining abnormality in terms of statistics
Behaviour that is rarely seen is abnormal
E.g. IQ + intellectual disability disorder – IQ is normally distributed.
Average IQ is 100, most people are between 85-115. Only 2% have
below 70. Those below 70 are statistically abnormal – diagnosed w
intellectual disability disorder
Deviation from social norms
Abnormality is based on social context
o When a person behaves in a way that is different from what’s
expected
Three types of consequences of behaviour
E.g. antisocial personality disorder – an important symptom of APD
is failure to conform to ‘lawful + culturally normative ethical
behaviour’. They deviate from social norms – generally lack
empathy
Failure to function adequately
Inability to cope with everyday living
o Cannot deal with demands of life e.g. not being able to hold a
job / maintain relationships
Rosenhan + Seligman – signs of failure to cope:
o No longer to conform to interpersonal rules e.g. personal
space
o Experience personal distress
o Behave in irrational / dangerous ways
E.g. intellectual disability disorder – has to be clear signs that the
person cannot cope w demands of everyday living
Deviation from ideal mental health
Changing the emphasis –
o Identify who deviates from the ideal of what makes someone
‘normal’ + psychologically healthy
Jahoda’s criteria for mental health:
1. No symptoms of distress
2. Rational + perceive ourselves accurately
3. We self-actualise
4. Can cope with stress
5. Realistic view of the world
, 6. Good self-esteem + lack guilt
7. Independent of other people
8. Can successfully work, love + enjoy leisure
EVALUATION
Statistical infrequency
STRENGTH
It’s a more scientific way of defining abnormality
The definition makes use of objective data gathered from
standardised measures + tests, such as IQ tests
It doesn’t rely on subjective interpretations
It reduces the likelihood of misinterpreting info – suggests that
statistical infrequency is a more valid way of determining
abnormality
LIMITATION
Statistical infrequency can only be accurate if all data is available
Mental disorder statistics are only available for those who have been
diagnosed
Could be unrepresentative as those who suffer don’t always seek
help
This results in a distorted picture of the disorder
STRENGTH
Definition has real world application with specific disorders
Statistical infrequency is used in clinical practise to formally
diagnose illnesses
Can assess severity of illnesses, e.g. Beck Depression Inventory
assess the severity of depression
People suffering cam access support services or therapy
LIMITATION
Issue of labelling
Diagnosing an individual as abnormal can be unhelpful
E.g. someone with low IQ is able to live happy without distress
Such a label may contribute to poor self-image or they could be
discriminated against
Being labelled as statistically infrequent could cause more distress –
do more harm than good
LIMITATION
Definition isn’t completely accurate
Can only differentiate between numerically normal + abnormal
behaviour, not desirable / undesirable traits
Abnormal behaviours can occur frequently + are therefore
statistically accurate
