Understanding Abnormal Behavior: Definitions and Challenges

1. What is abnormal behaviour? Individual differences

2. Definitions of Abnormality • Our definition of abnormality must be objective: • It must not depend on anyone’s opinion or point of view • It should produce the same results whoever applies it • It must not be under- or over-inclusive • It must not label as ‘abnormal’ or ‘normal’ behaviours or traits that aren’t

3. Definitions of Abnormality • Four definitions • Statistical infrequency • Deviation from social norms • Failure to function adequately • Deviation from ideal mental health

4. Definitions of Abnormality • Problems will exist with all the definitions • Subjectivity • Over- and under-inclusivity • Cultural relativity

5. Statistical Infrequency • A person’s trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. • It is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behaviour needs to be before we class it as abnormal

6. Statistical Infrequency Average IQ in the population is 100pts. The further from 100 you look, the fewer people you find frequency 70 100 130 IQ Scores

7. Statistical Infrequency - Problem • 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

8. Statistical Infrequency - Problem • Some behaviours/characteristics are regarded as abnormal even though they are quite frequent. • Depression may affect 40% of people (NIMH, 2001). This would make it common. • Almost 50% of people are said to be phobic. Phobias are an irrational fear of something. • Both are regarded as being ‘abnormal’

9. Violation of Social Norms • 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 particular social group • Their behaviour may: • Be incomprehensible to others • Make others feel threatened or uncomfortable

10. Violation of Social Norms • With this definition, it is necessary to consider: • The degree to which a norm is violated • The importance of that norm and • The value attached by the social group to different sorts of violation. • E.g. is the violation rude, eccentric, abnormal or criminal?

11. Violation of Social Norms - Problems • 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 • Cross-cultural misunderstandings are common, and may contribute to e.g. high diagnosis rate of schizophrenia amongst non-white British people

12. Violation of Social Norms - Problems • Classification of abnormality can only be 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

13. Failure to Function Adequately • 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.

14. Failure to Function Adequately • Rosenhan & Seligman (1989) suggest the following characteristics: • Suffering • Maladaptiveness (danger to self) • Vividness & unconventionality (stands out) • Unpredictability & loss of control • Irrationality/incomprehensibility • Causes observer discomfort • Violates moral/social standards

15. Failure to Function Adequately - Problems • Adequate functioning is defined largely by social norms • 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

16. Failure to Function Adequately - Problems • 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 • Pointing out mistakes in powerpoint

17. Deviation from Ideal Mental health • Rather than defining what is abnormal, we define what is normal/ideal and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal • This requires us to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health

18. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health • Psychologists vary, but the most commonly used is Jahoda’s: • Positive view of the self • Capability for growth and development • Autonomy and independence • Accurate perception of reality • Positive friendships and relationships • Environmental mastery – able to meet the varying demands of day-to-day situations

19. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health - Problems • What is considered ideal is historically and culturally specific • Jahoda’s and others’ criteria 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 becomes meaningless

20. So…. Schizophrenia

21. So…Schizophrenia

22. Schizophrenia • Schizophrenia is not a multiple personality • A psychotic disorder involving a break with reality • Many different manifestations with a few shared features

23. At least two of the following: Hallucinations (us. auditory) Delusions (oft. linked to hallucinations) Disorganized speech Disorganized or catatonic behaviour Negative symptoms Schizophrenia diagnosis

24. Schizophrenia diagnosis cont… • Social & occupational dysfunction • Duration of several months

25. Schizophrenia diagnosis • Diagnostic subtypes • Paranoid • Catatonic • Disorganized • Undifferentiated • Type 1 - Episodic, mainly positive symptoms • Type 2 - Chronic, mainly negative symptoms

26. Schizophrenia prevalence • 1% lifetime risk in general population • Holds true for most geographical areas although rates do vary • Abnormally high in Southern Ireland, Croatia; significantly lower rates in Italy, Spain (Torrey, 2002) • Risk factors include minority ethnicity, urban residence

27. Schizophrenia onset Source: CIHI (2001)

28. Schizophrenia prognosis • ‘Rule of the thirds’ (rule of thumb): • 1/3 recover more or less completely • 1/3 episodic impairment • 1/3 chronic decline • With treatment about 60% of patients manage a relatively normal life • Prognosis better in non-industrialised societies

29. Homework… • Read the key study of Rosenhan ready for discussions tomorrow… • See blog for document if you want a ‘form’ to write on • Also the booklet is on the blog • You need to have done the reading for tomorrows session