Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are: (Four D’s)

  1. Deviant (different, extreme, unusual, bizarre)
  2. Distressing (unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others)
  3. Dysfunctional (interfering with the person’s ability to carry out daily activities in a constructive way)
  4. Dangerous (to the person or to others)

‘Abnormal’ literally means “away from the normal”, it implies deviation from some clearly defined norms or standards.

Approaches to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior:

The first approach views abnormal behavior as a deviation from social norms.

  • According to this approach, ‘Abnormal’ is simply a label that is given to a behavior which is deviant from social expectations.
  • Abnormal behavior, thoughts and emotions are those that differ markedly from a society’s ideas of proper functioning.
  • Each society has norms, which are stated or unstated rules for proper conduct. Behaviors, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal.
  • A society’s norms grow from its population culture - its history, values, institutions, habits, skills, arts and technology.
  • A society’s values may change over time, causing its view of what is psychologically abnormal to change as well.
  • Socially accepted behavior is not abnormal, and normality is nothing more than conformity to social norms.

The second approach views abnormal behavior as maladaptive.

  • According to this approach, the best criterion for determining the normality of behavior is not whether the society accepts it but whether it fosters the well-being of the individual and eventually of the group to which he/she belongs.
  • Well-being is simply not maintenance and survival but also includes growth and fulfilment i.e. the actualization of potential.
  • Conforming behavior can be seen as abnormal if it is maladaptive, i.e. if it interferes with optimal functioning and growth.
  • Describing behavior as maladaptive implies that a problem exists; it also suggests that vulnerability in the individual, inability to cope, or exceptional stress in the environment have led to problems in life.