Deviation from the norm (Statistical infrequency)

• Unusual behaviours are sometimes desirable e.g. geniuses
• Undesirable behaviour are sometimes normal e.g. depression
• Having disorders without breaking social norms.
• Norm differs due to culture, age. Criteria are not universally applicable.
• Who decides the extent of deviation from norm?
• Causes ethical issues
• Social labeling
• Discrimination
• Violation of human rights

Social deviation

• Normality defined by the standards of social behaviour.
• Variation of norms in different demographic/social groups.
• Situational norms
• Acceptable depending on situation
• Developmental norm
• Acceptable depending on development.
• Norms changes according to prevailing moral values
• e.g. Homosexuality, Divorce
• Pressure on becoming the norm.
• Conforming to the norm without internalising it.
• Repressed to a point where one develops a disorder.

Dysfunction and distress

• Behaviour disrupts that ability to work and/or to conduct satisfying relationship with people.
• Not all mental disorders are accompanied by distress (anti-social personality disorder).
• Not all distress are disorders (grief).
• Certain elements jointly determine abnormality, when they co-occur, then it is symptomatic. (Rosenhan and Seligman)
• What are positive and negative symptoms?

Deviation from mental health

Point of consideration: Does the criteria still apply considering it was established in 1958?

• Ambiguity and subjectivity in defining terms e.g. reality and positivity.
• There are people who are normal that does not fulfill the characteristics and people that are abnormal that fulfill the characteristics.
• Influenced by cultural attitudes.
• Too idealistic, only a few individuals can achieve the idealistic self.
• Too difficult to measure, too vague to diagnosis.