1. “Is it not by locking up one’s neighbour that one convinces oneself of one’s own good sense?”
Dostoevsky ~  A Writer’s Diary

2. Outcomes
 Outline definitions of abnormality and discuss their limitations, namely: - Deviation from Social Norms (DSN) - Failure to Function Adequately (FFA) - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (DIMH)  Give example of each definition of abnormality.

3. Statistical infrequency
Under this definition, a person's trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual.
However, this definition fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour; e.g. very gifted individuals could be classified as ‘abnormal’ using this definition.
8-15% of world population left handed, are they ‘abnormal’?
Depression may affect 27% of elderly people (NIMH, 2001).
It makes it common but does not mean it isn’t a problem.

4. What are Social Norms? Queuing for one hour in the Post Office
Being covered head to toe in tattoos
Stealing from the local shop
Not standing too close to someone when you speak
Hearing voices in our head
Counting the number of times you chew your food
Being part of a gay community
Being a member of an church group that meets daily
Having big holes in your earlobes
Wearing appropriate clothes when its cold.
Saying please and thank you
Wearing a diving suit when walking down the road

5. Deviation from Social Norms (DSN)
- Social norms are a set of rules for behaviour based on a set of moral and conventional standards within society. Most members of society are aware of these social norms & behave accordingly. - This approach takes into account the social desirability of behaviour, for both the individual and society, so that behaviours breaking the norm may:  Be incomprehensible to others  Make others feel threatened or uncomfortable - Under this definition, a person’s thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates the (unwritten) rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a social group. - For example, the wild behaviour, manic and strange antics of schizophrenics would fit this definition.

6. Strengths and Weaknesses of DSN View
Decide which of the points are strengths and weaknesses
(you could also rank them in terms of which is more important)
Distinction between desirable and undesirable behaviours
Susceptible to abuse by people
Cultural Relativism : bound by cultural social norms
Undesirable behaviours are examined as part of the effect they have on others
Over time/different contexts social norms change
Gives people a set of social ‘rules’ to work towards
Appropriate goals can be set in therapy to work towards in relation to social norms
Conformity neurotics: people who conform strictly to norms, no room for compromise

7. Strengths Weaknesses
Distinction between desirable and undesirable behaviours
Susceptible to abuse by people
Undesirable behaviours are examined as part of the effect they have on others
Cultural Relativism : bound by cultural social norms
Gives people a set of social ‘rules’ to work towards
Over time/different contexts social norms change
Appropriate goals can be set in therapy to work towards in relation to social norms
Conformity neurotics: people who conform strictly to norms, no room for compromise

8. What is seen as normal behaviour in the dominant culture
Or Time
Or a sub-culture
May not be seen as normal behaviour in a different culture

9. Evaluation of DSN View
- Eccentricities and superstitions may deviate from ‘norm’, but not always a sign of psychopathology - Cultural and Historical variations in what is considered ‘normal’; e.g. Homosexuality was listed in the ‘American Psychiatric Association’ psychiatric disorders until 1974 (and the World Health Organisation until 1980) - Being so subjective, it has been used by repressive regimes to stifle political dissent; e.g. in Stalinist Russia, psychiatrists were often called upon to hospitalise dissidents on the basis of them suffering a mental disorder.

10. Failure to Function Adequately (FFA)
Under this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are unable to cope with the demands of everyday life.
They 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.
For example, Agoraphobics are unable to leave home (or be in unfamiliar surroundings), thus be unable to carry out day-to-day living requirements.

11. Characteristics of FFA
Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) suggest seven characteristics of failing to function adequately:
Suffering
Unconventionality (stands out)
Violates moral/social standards
Maladaptiveness (danger to self)
Unpredictability & loss of control
Irrationality/incomprehensibility
Causes observer discomfort

12. Abnormal people behave differently.
Abnormal individuals report that they are consistently
Abnormal people cannot adapt to situations, e.g. find fulfilling relationships or satisfying work.
Abnormal people behave differently.
Abnormal people are often and out of control.
Abnormal behaviour does not make sense to others.
It is disturbing for others to watch abnormal behaviour.
Abnormal people do not conform to accepted social practice.
But this may be due to lack of skills
However, ‘normal’ people do too in times of loss
But so are normal people when they are drunk
But so do non-conformists
But minorities (e.g. religious groups) frequently have different sets
But this may reflect cultural differences
But it probably does to the individual

13. SUFFERING: abnormal individuals report that they are consistently suffering. However, ‘normal’ people do too in times of loss
MALADAPTIVENESS: abnormal people cannot adapt to situations, e.g. find fulfilling relationships or satisfying work. But this may be due to lack of skills
UNCONVENTIONAL BEHAVIOUR: abnormal people behave differently. But so do non-conformists
UNPREDICTABILITY: abnormal people are often unpredictable and out of control. But so are normal people when they are drunk
IRRATIONALITY: abnormal behaviour does not make sense to others. But it probably does to the individual
OBSERVER DISCOMFORT: it is disturbing for others to watch abnormal behaviour. But this may reflect cultural differences
VIOLATION OF STANDARDS: people are considered abnormal if they do not conform to accepted social practice. But minorities frequently have different sets of moral practices, e.g. religious groups.

14. Evaluation of the FFA View
FFA can help us to assess a person’s dysfunctional behaviour, BUT .....
It relies on subjective judgement, e.g. one person might experience observer discomfort but another may not.
There are no clear objective measures of the 7 characteristics.
People who suffer mental disorder are not always aware of their failure to function, or do not agree with that assessment.
It may be the case that apparently dysfunctional behaviour is actually adaptive and functional for the specific individual.

15. Deviation from ideal mental health (DIMH)
This definition assumes abnormality is lack of a contented existence, thus looks to define what ideal mental health is, then measures the degree to which people depart from this ideal.
Under this definition, we define what is normal/ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal.
This judges mental health in the same way as physical health, a person requires certain attributes to be mentally healthy.
Jahoda (1958) listed a number of characteristics she felt indicated ideal mental health.
COME UP WITH YOUR OWN!

16. Maslow - Hierarchy of Needs (1943)
The highest motive we all aspire to is self actualisation
Abnormality is the inability to strive for these goals
Safety
Esteem
Physiological
Love/Belonging
Self-actualisation

17. Jahoda (1958) Criteria for IMH
Good self image: be in touch with own identity & feelings.
Ability to cope with stress : be able to resist daily stress.
Drive to realize self-potential: be focussed on the future & fulfilling their personal potential.
Being independent: be able to function as autonomous individuals, recognising their own needs.
Having an accurate perception of reality: to show understanding of the ‘real world’ and empathy towards others.
Being able to adapt to changes in the environment

18. Evaluation of the DIMH view
The DIMH has value as a tool for defining normality but as a means of defining abnormality it has severe limitations.
Jahoda’s characteristics are rooted in Western culture. The goals autonomy and self actualisation would not be recognised by collectivist cultures.
The Jahoda criteria are abstract, hard to define/measure, and may be culture bound.
DIMH represents deviation from an ideal mental state. Very few people actually meet all criteria; does that make the majority abnormal?!

19. Modern approaches to Psychopathological Classification: DSM-IV and ICD-10
International Classification for Disease (ICD) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The now dominant approach is the ‘biological’ or ‘medical’ model. It uses the model of physical illness (the disease model) and applies it to psychological disorders.
Abnormality is associated with certain signs or symptoms. Together they are referred to as syndromes. (e.g. depression is a syndrome characterised by apathy, sleeping problems etc.)
This model sees syndromes as distinct and it tries to develop explanations and treatments for them.

20. DSM-IV
Devised by the American Psychiatric Association used by most professionals to diagnose and classify abnormal behaviour.
DSM also uses ‘Global Assessment of Functioning’ scale (GAF) to rate the impact of the disorder on the patients daily life (thus incorporates elements of the view)
DSM is designed to be primarily descriptive and devoid of suggestions as to the underlying causes of an individual’s behavior and problems.
FFA

21. Limitation DSM-IV and ICD-10
Although attempts objectivity, the complex nature of psychopathology always makes room for subjective interpretation by psychiatrists
The biological model (unsurprisingly!) overemphasizes the biological aspects of psychopathology.
Ethically, there is a two fold problem:
‘biological’ emphasis diminishes individual responsibility
Labeling people often leads to stigmatization