Definitions of Abnormality

Statistical Infrequency:Any relatively usual behaviour/characteristic can be thought of as 'normal' and any behaviour that is different to this is abnormal. When a person has statistically rare or unusual behaviours/characterisitics. For example people with an IQ lower than 70 or above 115 are considered abnormal. It has real life application in the diagnosis of intellectual disability Super intelligence isn't an undesirable characteristic that needs treatment. Just because very few people display a behaviour making it abnormal, doesn't mean it needs treatment When someone is living a happy fulfilled life, there is no benefit to them being labelled as abnormal. Labelling someone abnormal can have a negative effect on the way people see them and how they see themselves

Deviation from Social Norms:Deviation from social norms is where a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect them to behave. Social norms are the unwritten rules of how we expect people to behave in a society. These are different for different generations and cultures so there are few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal. E.g. homosexuality was considered abnormal in our culture some time ago and is still considered abnormal in some cultures now. An example of deviation from social norms is a person with antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy). Typically a person with antisocial personality disorder is impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible which is considered to be abnormal. Real life application in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder however is not a sole reason to define abnormality Social norms vary tremendously from one generation to another and in different cultures. This means that a person from one culture may label someone from another culture as behaving abnormally according to their own standards rather than the standards of the person behaving in that way. E.g. hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but in the UK it is considered as mental abnormality Too much reliance on deviation from social norms to understand abnormality can lead to abuse of human rights e.g. diagnoses being used to maintain control over ethnic minority groups

Failure to function adequately:A person may be considered abnormal if they can no longer cope with the demands of every day life. Someone may not be functioning adequately if they are unable to maintain basic standards of hygiene and unable to hold down a job or maintain relationships with people. Rosenhan and Seligman proposed some signs that can be used to determine when someone is not coping;- when a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g. not maintaining eye contact/respecting personal space- When a person experiences severe personal distress- When a person's behaviour becomes irrational/dangerous to themselves or othersFor example a person with intellectual disability disorder and failing to function adequately would be considered abnormal The definition acknowledges that the experiences of the individual are important It is difficult to say when someone is failing to function adequately and when they are just deviating from social norms e.g. travellers/people into extreme sports. If we treat these behaviours as failing to function adequately we limit personal freedom and risk discriminating against minority groups When deciding whether someone someone is functioning adequately or not, someone has to judge whether a person is distressed/distressing. Some people may say they are distressed but may be judged as not suffering

Deviation from ideal mental health:Someone may be considered abnormal if they don't meet the criteria for good mental health. Jahoda suggested the criteria for good mental health; - We have no symptoms or distress - We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately - We self actualise (reach our potential) - We can cope with stress - We have a realistic view of the world - We have good self esteem and lack guilt - We are independent of other people - We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure Covers a wide range of criteria for mental health making it comprehensive Some of the criteria are culture bound e.g. self actualisation is considered self indulgent in some cultures Very few people meet all the criteria however we are not all abnormal