Problems with Defining Abnormality

Assignment Brief

Explain the problems with three of the following psychologists’ attempts to define abnormality.

• Statistical Infrequency

• Failure to Function Adequately

• Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

• Deviation from Social Norms

• Maladaptiveness

Explain the problems with using classification systems used to diagnose mental illness.

Sample Answer

Problems with Defining Abnormality

Understanding abnormality has always been a challenge for psychology. Different approaches have been created to explain what makes behaviour or thought patterns abnormal, yet each definition has its weaknesses. Three common ones are statistical infrequency, failure to function adequately, and deviation from social norms.

Statistical infrequency suggests that behaviour is abnormal if it is rare or uncommon in the general population. The problem with this idea is that not all unusual behaviours are negative or unhealthy. For example, having an exceptionally high intelligence is statistically rare, but it is not seen as abnormal or undesirable. On the other hand, some behaviours that are very common, such as anxiety or depression, may be harmful but would not be labelled abnormal under this definition because they are not rare. This shows that statistical infrequency alone is too simplistic and cannot capture the complexity of mental health.

Failure to function adequately argues that a person is abnormal if they cannot manage the demands of everyday life, such as working, maintaining relationships, or caring for themselves. Although this definition focuses on how behaviour affects daily living, it raises problems of subjectivity. What counts as adequate functioning can vary between cultures and individuals. Some people may live in an unconventional way, such as choosing to live off-grid or avoiding formal employment, and still consider themselves content and fulfilled. Labelling such people as abnormal could be unfair and misleading. Furthermore, someone who is temporarily unable to function because of bereavement or stress might be wrongly classified as abnormal when they are simply going through a difficult period.

Deviation from social norms defines abnormality as behaviour that goes against the accepted standards of society. The main problem with this is cultural relativism. What is considered normal in one society may be seen as abnormal in another. For instance, hearing voices may be interpreted as a symptom of schizophrenia in Western cultures, while in some non-Western societies it might be seen as a spiritual experience. This makes the definition highly dependent on context, raising ethical concerns about discrimination and unfair judgement. Moreover, social norms change over time, meaning that what was once viewed as abnormal may later be accepted, such as changing attitudes towards homosexuality.

These examples highlight that while the definitions provide useful starting points, each one faces limitations in being consistent, fair, and universally applicable.

Problems with Classification Systems

In addition to the difficulty of defining abnormality, there are also problems with using classification systems like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to diagnose mental illness.

One major problem is reliability. Different clinicians may give different diagnoses to the same patient, particularly if the symptoms are vague or overlap with other conditions. For example, depression and anxiety often share similar features, which can lead to confusion or inconsistent diagnoses.

Another issue is validity. It is often unclear whether these classifications truly reflect distinct illnesses, or whether they are just labels for clusters of symptoms. Mental health problems may not always fit neatly into categories, as many individuals experience mixed symptoms that cut across multiple diagnoses. This can result in patients being given multiple labels, which may not accurately represent their experiences.

Cultural bias is also a significant problem. Classification systems are often developed in Western societies, and the criteria may not apply well to other cultural contexts. Behaviours considered symptomatic in one culture may be normal in another, which increases the risk of misdiagnosis.

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