Defining Normality

Defining Normality

S. Coufal: John Crane @IBThink

S. Coufal: John Crane @IBThink

​This is one of the most important parts of this unit. It is a chance to develop a sense of empathy for those with mental illness. What the IB learner Profile calls "caring." In addition, understanding the debates about what is normal and what is abnormal is essential in understanding many of the controversies that are linked to psychiatric diagnosis.

Open Ended

Evaluate the DSM 5's definition of "abnormal behaviour."

"Behavior that violates a norm in society, is maladaptive, is rare given the context of the culture and environment, and is causing the person distress in their daily life."

What problems do you notice with this "official" definition of abnormal behaviour?

Open Ended

Define the following terms without searching for the answer.  These terms are known as the Four D's and are often used in discussing abnormal behaviour.

Danger:

Open Ended

Define the following terms without searching for the answer.  These terms are known as the Four D's and are often used in discussing abnormal behaviour.

we define the following terms together. 

Deviance:

Open Ended

Define the following terms without searching for the answer.  These terms are known as the Four D's and are often used in discussing abnormal behaviour.

we define the following terms together. 

Distress:

Open Ended

Define the following terms without searching for the answer.  These terms are known as the Four D's and are often used in discussing abnormal behaviour.

we define the following terms together. 

Dysfunction:

Definitions

• Danger: the state in which individuals become likely to do harm either to themselves or to others, representing a threat to their own or other people’s safety.

• Deviance: any behaviour that differs significantly from what is considered appropriate or typical for a social group.

• Distress: unpleasant feelings or emotions that impact one's level of functioning. It is the result of maladaptive coping with stress.

• Dysfunction: when behaviours or cognitive patterns interfere in an individual’s ability to carry out daily activities - for example, holding down a job or maintaining relationships.

Time to do RANKING ABNORMALITY in Schoology

Open Ended

Statistical deviation - Those behaviours that are least common are those that should be considered "abnormal behaviour."

Task: 1) discuss whether this is a valid definition of abnormality. 2) think of an example that would meet this criterion and one that would challenge the criterion.

Open Ended

Social deviation - When an individual somehow violates or rejects the norms of his/her society

Task: 1) discuss whether this is a valid definition of abnormality. 2) think of an example that would meet this criterion and one that would challenge the criterion.

Jahoda (1958) suggested that we could define positive mental health in order to recognize mental illness.

The key features would be:

• self-acceptance

• a potential for growth and development

• autonomy

• accurate perception of reality

• environmental competence

• positive interpersonal relationships

Open Ended

Deviation from optimal health criteria - A list of optimal behaviours: for example, selfacceptance, potential for growth and development; accurate perception of reality; and positive interpersonal relationships (Jahoda)

Task: 1) discuss whether this is a valid definition of abnormality. 2) think of an example that would meet this criterion and one that would challenge the criterion.

Rosenhan & Seligman's Criteria for Abnormal Behaviour

Irrationality --Unable to communicate in a reasonable manner.

Maladaptiveness -- Engages in behaviors that make life difficult.

Observer discomfort -- Acts in a way that is difficult to watch or makes others feel uneasy.

Suffering -- Experiences distress or discomfort

Unpredictability -- Acts in a way that is unexpected by him/herself or others.

Violation of community standards -- Habitually breaks the accepted ethical and moral standards of the culture.

Vividness & unconventionality -- Experiences things that are different from most people.

Open Ended

Meeting certain maladaptive criteria - A list of maladaptive behaviours: for example, irrationality, unpredictability, violation of moral standards, distress. (Rosenhan & Seligman)

Task: 1) discuss whether this is a valid definition of abnormality. 2) think of an example that would meet this criterion and one that would challenge the criterion.

Open Ended

Meeting diagnostic criteria - A list of specific symptoms that indicates a specific mental illness.

Task: 1) discuss whether this is a valid definition of abnormality. 2) think of an example that would meet this criterion and one that would challenge the criterion.

The definitions categories of "conceptual definitions" and "practical definitions" look like this -

• Conceptual definitions can be a statistical deviation from the norm, a deviation from the social or cultural norms, or a deviation from the concept of ideal mental health.

• Practical definitions are based on what can be observed, rather than variance from a norm.

Culture plays a major role in how we manifest our symptoms as well as what treatments are most appropriate. Check out this short video by Ethan Watters on trauma.

Open Ended

One of the problems of discussing what is "abnormal behaviour" is that cultures explain and experience distress differently. Reflect on how you or your culture express distress. Why do you think that it is important that psychologists from another culture should understand cultural differences? 

Open Ended

An area of interest for many students is the link between creativity and mental illness. This activity has students delve into the question of whether these two things are really linked.

What do you think the link might be between mental illness and the arts?

Writing an ERQ

The question that may be asked for this learning outcome is: Discuss concepts of normality and abnormality.

• This is rather an atypical question as the focus of the response will be more on theories (conceptual vs. practical definitions) than on research.  Ways to include research include:

• Research that demonstrates cultural differences.  For example, Bolton (2002) or Parker et al (2001)  

• Studies demonstrate the difficulties of measuring distress or dysfunction.  For example, Li-Repac (1980)  

• Studies show how people may be mislabelled based on a single symptom - for example, Rosenhan's "Being Sane in Insane Places" study.