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Simple explanations of definitions

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Psychologists define abnormality in several ways: 1. Deviation from social norms, or behavior that violates what is expected or acceptable in a social group. 2. Failure to function adequately, or an inability to cope with the demands of daily life. 3. Statistical infrequency, where a trait or behavior is considered abnormal if it is rare or unusual compared to the general population.

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DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY efining a person or behaviour as abnormal implies something undesirable and requiring change herefore, we must be careful how we use the term sychologists need methods for distinguishing normal from abnormal
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY ur definition of abnormality must be objective: It must not depend on anyones opinion or point of view It should produce the same results whoever applies it t must not be under- or over-inclusive It must not label as abnormal or normal behaviours or traits that arent
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY ou MUST have an understanding of the following three definitions for the exam: 1. Deviation from social norms 2. Failure to function adequately 3. Deviation from ideal mental health ou could have an understanding of the following definition for the exam: Statistical infrequency
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY nder this definition, a persons trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. ith this definition it is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behaviour needs to be before we class it as abnormal
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY Average IQ in the population is 100pts. The further from 100 you look, the fewer people you find frequency 70 100 130 IQ Scores
A very small subset of STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY the population (<2.2%) have an IQ below 70pts. Such people are statistically rare. We regard them as having frequency abnormally low IQs 70 100 130 IQ Scores
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS nder this definition, a persons thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the (unwritten) rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group. heir behaviour may: Be incomprehensible to others Make others feel threatened or uncomfortable
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS ith this definition, it is necessary to consider: The degree to which a norm is violated, the importance of that norm and the value attached by the social group to different sorts of violation. E.g. is the violation rude, eccentric, abnormal or criminal?
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY nder this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. hey may be unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day-to- day living e.g. self-care, hold down a job, interact meaningfully with others, make themselves understood etc.
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY osenhan & Seligman (1989) suggest the following characteristics: Suffering Maladaptiveness (danger to self) Vividness & unconventionality (stands out) Unpredictability & loss of control Irrationality/incomprehensibility Causes observer discomfort Violates moral/social standards
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH nder this definition, rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal/ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal his requires us to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH sychologists vary, but usual characteristics include: Positive view of the self Capability for growth and development Autonomy and independence Accurate perception of reality Positive friendships and relationships Environmental mastery able to meet the varying demands of day- to-day situations

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Simple explanations of definitions

  • 1. DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY efining a person or behaviour as abnormal implies something undesirable and requiring change herefore, we must be careful how we use the term sychologists need methods for distinguishing normal from abnormal
  • 2. DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY ur definition of abnormality must be objective: It must not depend on anyones opinion or point of view It should produce the same results whoever applies it t must not be under- or over-inclusive It must not label as abnormal or normal behaviours or traits that arent
  • 3. DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY ou MUST have an understanding of the following three definitions for the exam: 1. Deviation from social norms 2. Failure to function adequately 3. Deviation from ideal mental health ou could have an understanding of the following definition for the exam: Statistical infrequency
  • 4. STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY nder this definition, a persons trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. ith this definition it is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behaviour needs to be before we class it as abnormal
  • 5. STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY Average IQ in the population is 100pts. The further from 100 you look, the fewer people you find frequency 70 100 130 IQ Scores
  • 6. A very small subset of STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY the population (<2.2%) have an IQ below 70pts. Such people are statistically rare. We regard them as having frequency abnormally low IQs 70 100 130 IQ Scores
  • 7. DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS nder this definition, a persons thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the (unwritten) rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group. heir behaviour may: Be incomprehensible to others Make others feel threatened or uncomfortable
  • 8. DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS ith this definition, it is necessary to consider: The degree to which a norm is violated, the importance of that norm and the value attached by the social group to different sorts of violation. E.g. is the violation rude, eccentric, abnormal or criminal?
  • 9. FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY nder this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. hey may be unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day-to- day living e.g. self-care, hold down a job, interact meaningfully with others, make themselves understood etc.
  • 10. FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY osenhan & Seligman (1989) suggest the following characteristics: Suffering Maladaptiveness (danger to self) Vividness & unconventionality (stands out) Unpredictability & loss of control Irrationality/incomprehensibility Causes observer discomfort Violates moral/social standards
  • 11. DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH nder this definition, rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal/ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal his requires us to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health
  • 12. DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH sychologists vary, but usual characteristics include: Positive view of the self Capability for growth and development Autonomy and independence Accurate perception of reality Positive friendships and relationships Environmental mastery able to meet the varying demands of day- to-day situations