Definition
Abnormal psychology
Abnormal psychology focuses on behaviors that deviate significantly from societal norms and cause distress or dysfunction, qualifying as mental disorders.
Concepts of Abnormality
- Deviation from Social Norms:
- Behaviors deemed unacceptable in a specific society are considered abnormal.
- Strength: Simple, intuitive, and based on common sense.
- Limitations: Social norms vary across cultures and time, making this definition subjective and potentially ethically problematic.
- Inadequate Functioning (Rosenhan & Seligman, 1989):
- Seven criteria include suffering, maladaptiveness, and observer discomfort.
- Strength: Offers a multidimensional approach, including socially acceptable but harmful behaviors.
- Limitations: Overly inclusive and subjective, few behaviors meet all seven criteria. Judging a behaviour to be dysfunctional is difficult, as a person with a disorder may feel as though they are completely fine, even if their behaviour is harmful.
- Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (Jahoda, 1958):
- Six characteristics, such as efficient self-perception and positive relationships, define mental health.
- Strength: Humanistic, focusing on health rather than disorders.
- Limitations: Nearly impossible for individuals to meet all criteria, leading to overgeneralization. This model is also subject to cultural bias.
- Statistical Infrequency:
- Behaviors that are statistically rare are classified as abnormal.
- Strength: Quantifiable, linked to statistical norms.
- Limitations: Desirable traits (e.g., high IQ) may also be statistically infrequent but not abnormal.
