Approaches to NormalityWhat is normal?

Normality v AbnormalityNormal is …

Often defined as a pattern of thoughts, feelings or behaviour that conforms to a usual, typical or expected standard depending on the approachAbnormal …

May be defined as a pattern of thoughts, feelings or behaviour that is deviant (inappropriate), distressing (upsetting) and dysfunctional (affect one’s ability to perform daily activities effectively)

Socio-culturalBehaviour that is accepted in a particular society or culture, but not in othersE.g having more than one wife in some countries may be seen a ‘socially acceptable’ (normal), where as in some countries it is seen a ‘socially unacceptable’ (abnormal)

Advantages Disadvantages•All cultures share view that normality is the ability to communicate with others and behave in predictable fashion•Useful in gaining a broad understanding of the laws and social norms for appropriate behavior within a specific society

•Adherence to social norms is no guarantee of mental health (e.g OCD)•Social non-conformity does not mean that a person in mentally unhealthy•Not all cultures have the same view of acceptable behaviour (e.g. Bowing in Japan)•Australia is multi-cultural so there are many different and conflicting beliefs about which behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable

Historical Approach-Behaviour that is accepted, however it depends on the period of timeBehaviour that was once considered normal but no longer isAdvantages Disadvantages•What is normal changes over timeE.g. Acceptance of women in the work force

•Not all cultures share views at any given time•Limited use in describing current normal and abnormal individual behavior.

Situational Approach

Is it normal for a person to have painted green skin?

What if it was part of a musical?

Emphasises the need to examine the situational context of a behaviour before defining itBehaviour that is accepted in a particular situationAdvantages DisadvantagesBehaviours which when isolated are abnormal, become normalprovides us with a framework for how to behave so that we will be accepted by others

Can’t generalise about what is normal or abnormal from one situation to anotherDoesn’t take into account the sociocultural or functional view of normality

Medical ApproachAbnormal behaviour has a biological cause and can be diagnosed and treated e.g the fluAdvantages DisadvantagesAllows professionals to diagnose and treat/cure illnessesMore objective, unbiased interpretation of behaviour

Are all mental illnesses physical in nature?Ramifications of labeling Difficult to identify the exact physiological cause of the abnormal patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving as the symptoms of some mental illnesses are similar

Functional ApproachNormal behaviour is if the individual can function effectively in society (without causing harm to one’s self or others)Ability to function by carrying out day to day activities such as eating, sleeping, able to hold a job and maintain friendships.People who are so upset, confused or distracted that they cannot care for themselves properly or work productively, are considered abnormal

Advantages DisadvantagesAllows us to ‘classify’ normality by providing a framework

What ‘functioning’ is exactly is debatable

Statistical Approachbehaviour/characteristics of a large group are placed into a normal distribution. Majority of people are called “statistically average”statistical measurement, in which statistical abnormalities define abnormalityNormality is how most people think, feel and behave and abnormality is how few people think, feel and behave.

Advantages DisadvantagesAverages’ provide us with a comparison for our own development and ability

No person is average in thought, feelings, mental abilities, interests, size, shapeFine line where normality end and abnormality startsNormality does not equate to desirability