I am normal because'

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• I am normal because.
• On the four sticky labels write down your
  response to this question!
• Stick the labels on your chest!

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(No Transcript)
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What is normal ?

• The problem with simple definitions of normality
  such as Rosenhan Seligmans 1989 definition
  normality
• is the absence of abnormality is that they are
  not very helpful in practice. Often abnormal
  behaviour is also associated with morally bad
  behaviour. Stone (1975) suggests how definitions
  of normal, abnormal evil can overlap.

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• Normal
• A
• Bad Mad

B
G
F D
C E
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• A further problem with trying to define normality
  and abnormality is that it is a continuum rather
  than two separate groups.
• Normal //////// ////////Abnormal
• A B C D
• People who fall into these areas ///// are
  clearly normal or abnormal, but what about people
  who fall around B C Where is the line between
  normality and abnormality?
• Weeks James 1995 who studied 100 eccentrics,
  suggest that eccentrics (like John Slater)
  probably fall close to the divide between normal
  abnormal.

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Definitions of abnormality -

• deviation from statistical norm
• when behaviour is not typical of the vast
  majority of people.
• This definition is based on the normal
  distribution curve. Most human behaviours and
  characteristics can be found within the
  population to fall into a normal distribution,
  this means that
• Statistically 95 of the population will score
  between -2 and 2 Standard deviations from the
  mean the normal range.
• Problems with this definition.
• Does not take into consideration desirability of
  a behaviour. In this way very talented people
  would be classed as abnormal
• e.g. Balamurali Ambati - Biology degree at 13,
  and a qualified doctor by 17 !! Mozart -
  performed his own concerto at the age of three !!

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• In all cultures people are involved in wide
  variety of undesirable behaviours, from mild
  depression to child abuse. If all numbers of
  such people were added up then we would find that
  statistically large numbers of people would fall
  into one or other of these categories- normal
  in the statistical sense but they are also
  regarded as having a mental disorder.
• How far must a person deviate from the average in
  order to be considered abnormal. - cut off
  point is an arbitrary one. Who decides?
• 4. Easy to establish norms for (e.g.) height
  but how do we establish norms for psychological
  functioning?

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• 2. deviation from ideal mental health - look at
  ideal characteristics and abilities of normal
  mental health, a deviation from this ideal would
  be considered abnormal.
• A number of ideals have been proposed
• eg. Jahoda(1958)
• No symptoms or distress, can reflect on own
  behaviour, accurate perception of reality, cope
  with stress, self actualised, independent of
  others can control own behaviour.
• Problems with this definition
• 1. ideals are very demanding - all of us would
  be considered abnormal to some degree.
• 2. lists of ideals are value judgements
  reflecting the beliefs of those who propose the
  lists.

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• 3. Ideals are bound by
• a) culture/sub-culture e.g. Javan football
• Considered normal to play with a ball soaked in
  petrol and set on fire!!
• b) era e.g seeing visions
• 13th century Europe
• today
• c) context - e.g. wearing a steel helmet
• normal when?
• abnormal when ?
• eating a dead mole
• normal when ?
• - abnormal when ?

Healthy religious fervour
Hospitalised for schizophrenia!!!
Working in a mine
Going swimming
Starving no food
Any other time!!!
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• 3. Failure to function adequately
  (Dysfunctional behaviour)
• individual should achieve some sense of
  personal well-being and make some contributions
  to a larger social group. Failure to do this
  abnormal.
• Personal distress - can be an indication of a
  failure to function adequately is often the
  reason people seek help.
• Problems with this definition
• Some psychological states giving rise to personal
  distress may be an appropriate response
• e.g. anxiety in response to threat, depression
  when bereaved not considered abnormal unless
  persist for unreasonable time (whatever this
  is!!)

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• some antisocial disorders may not produce
  personal distress
• e.g. repeated acts of crime, substance abuse such
  as effects of alcohol denied by user.
• personal distress may not be caused but it may be
  distressing to others e.g. an assassination
  attempt! Being a threat to others is a sign of
  failing to function adequately!
• Even if personal distress not present a person
  may still not be functioning adequately if
  behaviour is maladaptive for self or society.
  Some mental disorders e.g. substance related
  disorders are defined in terms of how much it
  causes a problem in social and/or work situation.

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• Observer discomfort behaviour that causes
  distress or discomfort to others can be seen as a
  failure to function adequately.
• Problem with this definition - it may say more
  about the
• observer than the observed ! !
• e.g. men wearing make-up and nail polish?
• body piercing?any other examples???
• Extremely unpredictable behaviour or consistently
  
• predictable behaviour (e.g. never getting upset)
  and
• behaviour out of all proportion to the situation
  can be a
• sign of failing to function adequately as is
  bizarre
• behaviour.
• Problem with this definition
• who decides what is out of all proportion
• what exactly is bizarre?

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• Irrational behaviour (if a persons behaviour does
  not make sense to others, if others cannot
  communicate with them in a reasonable way) can be
  seen as an indication of failing to function
  adequately.
• Problem with this definition
• Throughout history many of the worlds greatest
  thinkers were often seen irrational at the time
  (Darwin, Galileo), but were in fact ahead of
  their time!

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• 4. deviation from social norms
• breaking societys standards and norms
• Problems with this definition
• Culture bound, sub-culture bound and era bound.
• Assumption that the social norms are always right
  or desirable but remember the social norm in
  Germany during WWII - hatred and mistreatment of
  Jews, Romany people, and those with disabilities.
  Moral and ethical abuse of social norms may
  occur.
• Some people may be suffering from a problem and
  yet still conform to social norms e.g. conforming
  neurotics who fear rejection adapt their
  behaviour to fit in perfectly.

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• Conclusion- What is normal / abnormal?
• We have looked at some of the definitions of
  abnormality.
• All of them have good and bad points. They are
  all are
• useful but not adequate on their own as a
  definition of
• abnormality.
• Task-
• Re-read through your worksheet and the
  definitions of abnormality in your text book
  (pages 4 8)
• Summarise these definitions on the piece of A3
  paper as a diagram. Remember to include a brief
  definition and an evaluation in terms of ethical
  and practical problems. Use information from both
  sources in your diagram.