Psychopathology: Definitions of abnormality
Note: can be asked about these individually, or 2-4 as a 16 marker
Statistical infrequency: Usual behaviour is ‘normal’, unusual behaviour is ‘abnormal’. This is when an
individual has a characteristic that differs from most of the population.
Example: IQ intelligence is an example of a normal distribution where majority cluster
around the average (IQ 100), further higher or below the average the amount of people
decreases. 2% have a score below IQ 70, this is considered to be an ‘abnormal’ level of
intelligence.
Evaluation +/-:
Positive application to clinical practises. This definition aids formal diagnostics as well as
aiding to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms. An example is Becks depression
inventory where a score of 30+ (top 5% respondents) is indicated as severe depression. This
shows the positive real world application that statistical infrequency has on improving the
health of society.
Counterpoint: This ignores that some infrequent statistics are positive, for example being
strongly on the no depression side of a depressive spectrum would not be seen as abnormal
but rather admired and respected. This suggests that statistical infrequency definition is not
a sufficient basis for defining abnormality.
Deviation from social norms: Defined behaviour as ‘abnormal’ if it is different from the accepted
standards ‘norms’ of a society. As a society we make a collective judgement on what is right and
wrong.
Example: Homosexuality was seen as deviant in the UK and is still illegal in some cultures
e.g., Brunei introduced new laws that make male homosexual sex punishable by stoning to
death in 2019
Evaluation +/-: Failure to consider how cultural variations prevent general definitions being
applied. The perspective of social deviations change depending on the moral perspectives of
different cultures, using this definition means using our own view of abnormality and
applying it to a culture which may not share this view. E.g., hearing voices in one’s head is
seen as abnormal in modern Western culture, yet seen as messages from ancestors in other
cultures. This suggests that the definition holds ‘cultural relativism’ in that it is difficult to
apply across other cultures and situations.
Developed: Further, it fails to consider how in some cases deviation from social norms has
been as positive thing, for example those who resisted German occupation during WW2,
suggesting it is dangerous to regard deviancy as automatically abnormal as this could lead to
abuse of individual rights.
Note: can be asked about these individually, or 2-4 as a 16 marker
Statistical infrequency: Usual behaviour is ‘normal’, unusual behaviour is ‘abnormal’. This is when an
individual has a characteristic that differs from most of the population.
Example: IQ intelligence is an example of a normal distribution where majority cluster
around the average (IQ 100), further higher or below the average the amount of people
decreases. 2% have a score below IQ 70, this is considered to be an ‘abnormal’ level of
intelligence.
Evaluation +/-:
Positive application to clinical practises. This definition aids formal diagnostics as well as
aiding to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms. An example is Becks depression
inventory where a score of 30+ (top 5% respondents) is indicated as severe depression. This
shows the positive real world application that statistical infrequency has on improving the
health of society.
Counterpoint: This ignores that some infrequent statistics are positive, for example being
strongly on the no depression side of a depressive spectrum would not be seen as abnormal
but rather admired and respected. This suggests that statistical infrequency definition is not
a sufficient basis for defining abnormality.
Deviation from social norms: Defined behaviour as ‘abnormal’ if it is different from the accepted
standards ‘norms’ of a society. As a society we make a collective judgement on what is right and
wrong.
Example: Homosexuality was seen as deviant in the UK and is still illegal in some cultures
e.g., Brunei introduced new laws that make male homosexual sex punishable by stoning to
death in 2019
Evaluation +/-: Failure to consider how cultural variations prevent general definitions being
applied. The perspective of social deviations change depending on the moral perspectives of
different cultures, using this definition means using our own view of abnormality and
applying it to a culture which may not share this view. E.g., hearing voices in one’s head is
seen as abnormal in modern Western culture, yet seen as messages from ancestors in other
cultures. This suggests that the definition holds ‘cultural relativism’ in that it is difficult to
apply across other cultures and situations.
Developed: Further, it fails to consider how in some cases deviation from social norms has
been as positive thing, for example those who resisted German occupation during WW2,
suggesting it is dangerous to regard deviancy as automatically abnormal as this could lead to
abuse of individual rights.
