Definitions of Abnormality, Lesson 1- Psychopathology

Statistical Infrequency

Question. Watch this video and decide if it is normal or abnormal.

Defining Abnormality 

According to statistics (numbers) any usual behaviour can be thought of as normal and any unusual behaviour is abnormal. 

Some simple examples (fictional) - if most children aged 17 (80%) are in full time education then that is considered the norm. Those in the 20% category are outside the usual behaviour category and can be considered abnormal. 

We sometimes look at graphs to depict these abnormalities. 

Look at the graph below (and in your book) for IQ abnormalities.

The light grey middle section shows the normal range where most people fit. Anything above or below it is considered abnormal.

IQ is measured using psychometric intelligence tests and most people's score falls in around the average which is 100. Only 2% score below 70, so this is considered unusual, therefore - abnormal and people with a score of less than 70 are liable to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder - intellectual disability disorder.

Problems?

- the cut off points are rather arbitrary. How can someone with a score of 70 be considered normal and someone with one mark less be abnormal?

The abnormalities are not always seen as negative. For example, the high performers on the IQ test are outside the normal range and therefore can be considered abnormal.

In conclusion, the use of statistics can be one way of quantitatively highlighting abnormality, but there is another way.

Deviation from Social Norms

Each society has norms. As a society we collectively decide and recognise what is normal behaviour and therefore can recognise any deviation from social norms.

For example, if you Psychology teacher came to school today dressed as a clown, that would be a deviant from social norms. It would not be a criminal act for the teacher to do this - not all deviations from social norms are illegal.

There are no universal norms as social norms change across generations and locations, but in our immediate locale, we can recognise any deviations from our norms in that place and time.

For example, to go for a walk wearing a bikini in December in Ireland would be considered a deviation from a social norm, but to go for a walk wearing a bikini in December in California is perfectly normal. 

Another example is that homosexuality was listed as a mental disorder in USA until the 1970's, but of course social norms have evolved since then. This therefore makes it difficult to define abnormality using norms as a definition as clinicians across time and culture can make very different diagnoses.

Evaluation

Strength - statistical infrequency is very useful in real world application, especially in clinical practice where abnormal medical readings can help diagnose conditions.

Strength - usefulness is clinical practice, for example in defining antisocial personality disorder.

Limitation - norms are culturally relative. What is abnormal here may be perfectly normal elsewhere.