1. Definitions of Abnormality Problems exist with all the definitions we have examined. Subjectivity Over- and under-inclusivity Cultural relativity www.psychlotron.org.uk

2. Statistical Infrequency Does not consider the desirability of behaviours or traits. Very high intelligence or extremely altruistic behaviour are both statistically rare, but would not generally be classed as ‘abnormal’. Many rare behaviours or characteristics (e.g. left handedness) have no bearing on normality or abnormality www.psychlotron.org.uk

3. Statistical Infrequency Some behaviours/characteristics are regarded as abnormal even though they are quite frequent. Depression may affect 27% of elderly people (NIMH, 2001). This would make it common but that does not mean it isn’t a problem www.psychlotron.org.uk

4. Violation of Social Norms Social norms change between cultures and over time. Consequently, so do people’s conceptions of abnormality. Homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness until 1973, but not any more. Cross-cultural misunderstandings are common, and may contribute to e.g. high diagnosis rate of schizophrenia amongst non-white British people www.psychlotron.org.uk

5. Violation of Social Norms Classification of abnormality can only based on the context in which behaviour occurs Same behaviour might be normal or abnormal e.g. undressing in bathroom or classroom A subjective judgement is usually necessary e.g. there may be situational factors unknown to the observer www.psychlotron.org.uk

6. Social norms vary from one culture or society to another

7. social norms vary from one time to another On 25 May 1895 Wilde was convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years' hard labour. Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas in 1893Lord Alfred Douglas

8. In 1973, the weight of empirical data, coupled with changing social norms and the development of a politically active gay community in the United States, led the Board of Directors of the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Some psychiatrists who fiercely opposed their action subsequently circulated a petition calling for a vote on the issue by the Association's membership. That vote was held in 1974, and the Board's decision was ratified. American Psychiatric Association

9. Deviation from social norms may sometimes be illegal rather than abnormal!

10. Categories are based on a Western and individualist cultural ideal so the measure is ethnocentric A drive to realise self potential may look odd to some!

11. Interpretation is subjective. Who decides w hich looks normal ?

12. Failure to Function Adequately Adequate functioning is defined largely by social norms (see ‘deviation from…’) Most people fail to function adequately at some time, but are not considered ‘abnormal’ After a bereavement most people find it difficult to cope normally Ironically, they might actually be considered more abnormal if they functioned as usual www.psychlotron.org.uk

13. Failure to Function Adequately Many people engage in behaviour that is maladaptive/harmful or threatening to self, but we don’t class them as abnormal Adrenaline sports Smoking, drinking alcohol Skipping classes www.psychlotron.org.uk

14. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health What is considered ideal is historically and culturally specific (see ‘deviation from social…’) Jahoda’s and others’ criteria may set the bar too high. Strictly applied, so few people actually meet these criteria that everyone ends up classed as abnormal and so the concept could become meaningless www.psychlotron.org.uk

15. DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH This judges mental health in the same way as physical health, a person requires certain attributes to be mentally healthy. Jahoda found six categories that were commonly referred to as desirable for mental health.

16. good self image drive to realize self-potential ability to cope with stress being independent (autonomous) having an accurate perception of reality Being able to adapt to changes in the environment absence of these indicates abnormality.

17. It is unclear how far a person could deviate before being defined as abnormal Tattoos and piercings are now accepted as normal but even these may sometimes viewed as abnormal… does this indicate psychological abnormality?

24. How is psychological abnormality really judged. The dominant approach to psychopathology (the study of psychological abnormality) is the biological or medical model This sees psychological abnormality in terms of: signs and symptoms that regularly occur together and can therefore be referred to as a syndrome these syndromes are distinctive from any other signs and symptoms and can therefore be identified as a particular disorder.

25. Two major Classification systems The International Classification System for Diseases – ICD was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) – currently in it’s 10 th edition. Mental disorders were first included in 1952 and form only a small section of the manual

26. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – DSM – was developed by th American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952. The current edition is the 4 th. This is generally used by mental health professionals mainly to make diagnoses.

27. Problems with Diagnosis & Classification Even using these systems there can be significant disagreement between psychiatrists - this is generally because symptoms of different disorders overlap There is an overemphasis of the biological aspects of the disorders with psychological factors minimised. Labelling a person as having a particular disorder may stigmatise them so raises ethical issues.