5.1 Definitions of Abnormality

5.1 Definitions of Abnormality

1. Statistical Infrequency

   • Under this definition, a person's trait or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is either rare or statistically unusual.
   • E.G IQ. Normally peoples scores will cluster around an average, this being called normal distribution. However, not only is it abnormal to have a low score, but also abnormal to have an unusually high score.
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths:
       • Real world application. It is useful in clinical practice. For example a diagnosis of an intellectual disability disorder requires an IQ of below 70. Value of statistical infrequency is useful in diagnostic and assessment procedures.
       • Objective. Lacks bias due to clear numbers meaning an agreed cut-off point can be identified.
     • Weaknesses:
       • Unusual characteristics are positive, it fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour. Many gifted people could be classified as 'abnormal' using this definition.
       • Not all people benefit from labels.

2. Deviation from social norms

   • This definitions concerns behaviour that is different from the accepted behaviour in society. These social norms can be explicit or implicit.
     • Norms are culture and time specific; there are relatively few behaviours that would be considered abnormal worldwide.
   • E.G antisocial personality disorder, a type of mental illness in which the sufferer exhibits aggression and is impulsive and irresponsible. According to DSM-5, a symptom of apd is 'an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour'.
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths:
       • Comprehensive. It covers a broad range of criteria, making it a good tool for thinking about mental health.
       • Real world application. Used in clinical practice, for example in the diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder.
     • Weaknesses:
       • Cultural relativism. It varies between different cultures and situations. E.G in the UK hearing voices would be seen as abnormal, yet in some countries it is the norm.
       • May lead to human rights abuses. Cn carry the risk of unfair labelling and leave them open to human rights abuses. E.G nymphomania, a woman's uncontrollable and excessive sexual desire, has been used to control and oppress women.

3. Failure to function adequately (FFA)

   • Failure to function adequately, or FFA, refers to abnormality that prevents coping with ordinary demands of day-to-day life, for example getting out of bed or holding down a job.
     • Rosenham and Seigman proposed that it can be determined when someone is not coping by looking at: whether they experience severe distress, whether they are irrational or dangerous to themselves, or if they no longer conform to standard interpersonal rules.
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths:
       • Includes the patients perspective. Acknowledges the experience of the patient and matches the sufferers' perceptions.
       • Represents a threshold to help. Whilst most people experience symptoms of a mental disorder to some degree, it tends to be only at the point when someone isnt coping that they reach out for help. The criteria means that treatment can be targeted at those who need it.
     • Weaknesses:
       • Easy to label a non-standard lifestyle as abnormal. People who make unusual choices may be at risk of being labelled as abnormal and having their freedom restricted.
       • Cultural relativism.

4. Deviation from ideal mental health

   • Marie Jahoda (1958) suggested that there be 6 criteria necessary for ideal mental health, and an absence of these would indicate an abnormality.
     • No symptoms or distress. Rational and can perceive themselves accurately. Self-actualise. Cope with stress. Realistic pov. Good self esteem, lack guilt. Independent. Work, love and enjoy leisure.
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths:
       • Comprehensive definition. Includes a range of criteria, covering most of the reasons why someone would seek help. Provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves.
     • Weaknesses:
       • May be culturally bound. Western ideology, what defines success in one culture might not do so for other cultures.