To what extent do the following explain the concept that is abnormal behaviour?

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To what extent do the following explain the concept that is abnormal behaviour?

-Statistical infrequency’s

-Deviation from social norms

-Failure to function adequately

-Deviation from ideal mental health

It has long been suggested that psychologists have a major problem in defining the term abnormality, as no one person or model has yet found an absolute universal truth to illustrate abnormal behaviour.

Therefore psychologists have come up with different assumptions and concepts to try to clarify abnormality.

This has resulted in the production of a large divergence of models, none of which seem to fully depict abnormality.

However, whilst looking through these models, we must decide if they are actually trying to portray abnormality, or if they are simply a basis for each individual to use accordingly.

Also we must keep in mind the problems with defining abnormality, because there is no base or guidelines to use.

For example, in order to explain what abnormal behaviour is, do we not need to first know what normal behaviour is? This is a problem in itself because there is no way to establish what normal is, as it varies from person to person, their culture, environment, and social status.

Now let us observe each model in turn and conclude if they adequately establish what abnormal behaviour is.

First is statistical infrequency’s.

This uses the method that frequent occurrence is normal, and infrequent occurrence is abnormal.

They use the example that only a small number of people force themselves to vomit after eating, so, according to the 'Statistical deviation definition' this is abnormal behaviour. However this can cause problems. Only a small number of people have very high IQ scores, but just because they are statistically rare, does this justify labelling them as abnormal?

But, not all abnormal diagnosis is measured on this quantitative scale. Occurrences such as hearing voices and hurting yourself, are considered by statistical infrequency’s to be abnormal behaviour, but cannot be measured in the same way.

Another problem with this study is it's lack of universality. It cannot be used in the same way for every culture, and so, is not universal.

E.G Here in England monogamy is seen as an acceptable norm, however, if we looked to a country such as Iran, it would be an extremely rare commodity, so, would be normal, yet abnormal, on the same scale.

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Another flaw would be that we have no guide as to how much is too much.

To what extent must we stray from a social norm before we are classed as abnormal?

To give an example, it is now quite a popular trend to follow spiritual excersises such as Yoga or Chi Kung, but if a person were to follow this more strongly and meditate daily, pray to the Budda, and discipline themselves more, they would be seen as abnormal. The reason? Because this differs too much from the norm. But, to diverge an equal amount from another social norm, ...

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