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Compare and evaluate the Statistical Infrequency and Social Norm definitions of abnormality. Understand the statistical distribution concept and societal norms. Strengths and weaknesses discussed.
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Link to the spec…. You must be able to : Describe and Evaluate the Statistical definition of abnormality and the Social Norm definition of abnormality in terms of their suitability as definitions of abnormality.
Seligman’s Definitions • Statistical Infrequency • Deviation for social Norm’s • Failure to Function Adequately • Deviation from Ideal Mental Health http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk Discuss!
Statistical Infrequency By definition abnormality means deviating from the norm or average. Statistically infrequent behaviour is regarded as abnormal, whereas frequent behaviour is normal. Individual characteristics can be measured (e.g., mood, intelligence, etc) and the distribution of these characteristics within the population can be graphed. The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle. These people are defined as ‘normal’. Relatively few people fall at either end. However, if they are then they are defined as ‘abnormal’. For example, most “normal” people eat an average of between 1500 to 3000 calories a day. However, anorexics consume very few calories, and bulimics consume lots – which makes their behaviour “abnormal”.
The statistical definition The spread is measured by standard deviation. 68% of the population fall between 1 SD either side of the mean and 95% fall between 2 SD. Thus, scores outside this range are unusual, therefore 2.5% fall below it and 2.5% above it.
Normal Distribution • To understand the idea of abnormality is anything that is statistically infrequent • It helps to know about normal distribution, a characteristic of behaviour is seen as normally distributed if the mean average, mode and median all fall in the same place • In the middle of the scores this simply means that there are roughly the same number of scores on each side of the average the scores are normally distributed around the average • Any score that is two standard deviations or more away from the mean denotes abnormality
Knowing that the data is normally distributed means that anyone a long way away outside the average could be regards as abnormal.
Evaluation…. Lets have a discussion
Strengths • It gives a quantitative measure that is objective. (Useful to have a definitive cut off). • On a practical level this can be useful as evidence in support of requests for assistance and funding for those identified.
weaknesses • Abnormal in both statistical and a mental health sense may not be undesirable an IQ score of 130+ is likely to be seen as desirable, what is statistically infrequent such as genius may not be bad. • Some people who are considered normal may need some help.
There are statistically frequent behaviours which are considered as abnormal. ie - depression is frequent is the UK, however it is considered a mental health disorder and abnormal. What about left-handedness? Abnormal behaviour is not rare, most people are likely to show abnormal behaviour some time in their life.
What are social norms? Queuing for one hour in the Post Office Hearing voices in our head Having big holes in your earlobes Being covered head to toe in tattoos Wearing appropriate clothes when its cold. Stealing from the local shop Being part of a gay community Saying please and thank you Not standing too close to someone when you speak Being a member of an church group that meets daily Wearing a diving suit when walking down the road Counting the number of times you chew your food
Deviation from social norms • Every society has accepted standards of behaviour, these are sometimes written as part of the law. • Others are implicit : they are generally accepted but not legally binding • E.g. not standing too close to someone when they are talking. • Social norms allow for the regulation of normal behaviour. • One approach to defining abnormality is to consider deviations from the social norm as an indicator of abnormal behaviour.
The social norms definition • This definition states that behaviour which conforms to social norms is normal and behaviour that does not is abnormal • Norms are social rules that are not laws but customs and people in society abide by such rules in their behaviour • If someone’s behaviour goes against a particular society norms it is understandable that their behaviour would be called abnormal • This is what the social norms definition of abnormality says, there are aspects of society though to be taken into account like the situation, age, cultural, gender and historical context.
The effect of context • In some countries if you are found to be homosexual then you are forced to have a transgender operation and deemed to suffer from a mental illness! • The situation and context for the behaviour are both important, a behaviour might be abnormal in one context but normal in another • Being naked in public???
The effect of age and gender • For instance if someone chose to go out wearing a chicken suit that would be considered abnormal, BUT normal for a charity event, or a fancy dress party! • Age is another factor in making a judgement about abnormality, for example a 3 year old might take his clothes off in public but this would be considered as abnormal for an adult. • What may be considered as normal for a man, on a hot sunny day walking around shirtless would not be considered as normal for a woman!
The effect of historical context What was considered as the norm many years ago might have changed for example becoming pregnant outside wedlock was considered evidence as a mental health problem 100 years ago, women could have been put into an institution because of it Homosexuality is listed in DSM (1980) • Drapetomania = Slaves experienced an irrational desire to run away • Nymphomania = Middle class women sexually attracted to working class men • Moral insanity= Women who inherited money and spent it on themselves rather than male relatives
Strengths and Weaknesses Using the cards, decide which of the points are strengths and weaknesses Place them into two columns on your desk Rank them in terms of which you think is more important Copy the points into your notes.
Unit 4 Synoptic Link: How have these two definitions of abnormality resulted in instances of social control in recent history? Use your textbooks / AS notes to brainstorm ideas.
