Abnormal Psychology: Concepts of Normality
 The definition of the word abnormal is simple enough:
deviating from the __________ or average but ____ clear
definition of "Abnormal Behaviour"
 However, applying this to psychology poses a complex
problem: what is ________? Whose normal? For what _____?
For what ___________?
 Some would simply classify what is "______" as normal and
what is "______" as abnormal, but this is a ______ and narrow
definition and brings up many of the same questions for the
definition of "good" as does the definition for "normal"
 Psychologists use _______ (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders) published by American Psychiatric Association
to identify and __________ symptoms of psychiatric disorders
 Psychiatric diagnosis may be _________ or wrong
 Definitions of normality and abnormality can _______ over time
 There are many more ways of determining a more objective
reference point:
o One way of defining abnormality is standard deviation.
Most human characteristics are nicely distributed along a
smooth bell-shaped curve.
 Those who stray too _______ from the average on this curve
are then considered abnormal.
 This definition, however, has its _________:
o It does not recognize valuable derivations, such as
genius, nor does it recognize common but maladaptive
behavior like smoking and drinking. Nonetheless, this
method is both ______________ and scientific.
 A very simple idea that can be used to classify abnormal
behavior is personal ____________.
 Basically, if a person is content with their life, then they are of
_______ concern to the mental health field
 However, if a person's thoughts or behaviors cause them
personal discomfort or unhappiness, then they will be
considered _________________
 Cultural ____________: What is seen as normal in one culture
may be seen as abnormal in another
Rosenhan and Seligman (1984) Suggest 7 Criteria:
1. Suffering – does the person experience distress and
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
discomfort?
Maladaptiveness – does the person engage in behaviours
that make life difficult for him or her rather than being
helpful?
Irrationality – is the person incomprehensible or unable to
communicate in a reasonable manner?
Unpredictability – does the person act in ways what are
unexpected by himself or herself or by other people?
Vividness and unconventionality – does the person
experience things that are different from most people?
Observer discomfort – is the person acting in a way that is
difficult to watch that makes other people embarrassed?
Violation of moral or ideal standards – does the person
habitually break the accepted ethical and moral standards of
the culture?
 Many ethnic minorities ________ diagnosed because doctors do
not understand cultural norms of the groups people come from
Class Activity
Based on the criteria above are any of the following abnormal
behaviour?




Talking to oneself
Nail Biting
Math anxiety
Transvestitism (GID)
Definitions of Abnormality:
1) Sometimes defined as the subjective experience of feeling “not
normal” for example, feeling intense anxiety, unhappiness, or
distress.
2) When behavior violates social norms or makes others anxious.
Both definitions are problematic (subjective experience,
unaware of condition, cultural differences)