Approaches to normal and abnormal behavior

Statistical approach
According to this criterion, average is normal. A person is abnormal when he or she deviates from the average. The statistical criterion is explained through a normal distribution curve. The bell shaped curve illustrates that the cases falling around the middle of the distribution are to be termed as normal and those of the extreme ends as abnormal. Statistical criterion is based on numbers

The statistical criterion is inadequate due to the following reasons:

According to this criterion any deviation from the average is abnormal. We cannot label the people who deviate in a positive or favorable way as abnormal. They may be called superior, above average but nor abnormal. We are all deviant from one another in some dimensions. No two individuals are alike in interests, abilities or physical appearance. These are potential dimensions of difference. If we take deviation from the average as the only criterion, Christ, Gandhi and Mother Theresa would be considered as abnormal.

 To label as abnormal we compare the deviance of the people from the average, which may change from time to time and from group to group. The statistical criterion hardly tells us why people become abnormal. Statistical criterion is based on the false assumption that all personality traits and human variations can be can be expressed as quantitative deviations. But the difference between the disturbed and the undisturbed is qualitative rather than quantitative In abnormal psychology statistical criteria typically are not considered as relevant.

Psychological approach
Some argue that psychological functioning whether defective or normal is the deciding factor of the normal or abnormal behavior. Eysenck writes, abnormality then is not in terms of people suffering mental diseases produced by definite causes; it is rather in terms of defective functioning of certain psychological systems.

What are the psychological functions?

Thoughts Perception Mood Outward behaviors Memory and other aspects of intelligence, such as attention, concentration,comprehension, concept formation, arithmetical reasoning Communication Social interaction

Psychological theories explaining abnormality

Psychodynamic theories Behavioral theories Cognitive theories Humanistic- existential theories

Inadequacy of psychological approach

Abnormal people are definitely psychologically handicapped individuals but their behavior is not the the exclusive product of psychological or sociological causes.
Biological and physiological factors may not be ruled out in the explanation of the behavior of abnormal people.

Biological approach
Normality or abnormality of the behavior depends upon the functioning of the nervous system. Biological explanations: genetics, neurotransmitters biological therapies, drugs, ECT, psychosurgery. The inadequacy of this approach has now also been proved. Most people who are found to be mentally disturbed do not suffer from the disease or illness in the usual sense of this terms.

Multicultural perspective
Multicultural approach is gaining importance, which cautions the practitioners to understand the client from the cultural perspective. What is abnormal to culture may not abnormal to another culture. The moral criterion- the person considered abnormal if he or she is immoral. The concept of morality and immorality may change from place to place and from time to time.

 If we take the social conformity as the criterion of abnormality, the social conformity of a particular behavior also change from culture to culture and from place to place. Eg. Homosexuality, long hair for the male. eg. Aggressive behavior of the Indians, the gift of prophecy; and visualizations. Refer the culture bound syndromes.

Integrated approach
In understanding mental illness and in planning interventions an integrative approach is used. In understanding what causes abnormality, social scientists look at different dimensions; Biological, psychological and sociocultural. Abnormal behavior arises from a complex set of determinants in the body, mind and and the social context of the individual.

Biological factors
Genetics Physiological factors medical conditions, brain damage, or exposure to certain kind of environmental stimuli. A medical abnormality in the thyroid gland can cause wide variations in the mood and abnormality. Brain damage resulting from a head trauma even a slight one can result in bizarre behavior and intense emotionality. Ingestion of illicit drugs or some prescribed drugs can result in emotional and behavioral changes that mimic psychological disorder. Exposure to emotional stimuli such as toxic substances, and allergens can cause a person to experience disturbing emotional changes and behavior.

Psychological factors
An event an hour ago, last year or in the early days of a persons life has left its mark in that ways that cause traumatic changes in feelings and behavior. A demeaning comment from a professor can leave a student feeling hurt and depressed for days. A disappointment in an intimate relationship can evoke intense emotionality that lasts for months. A trauma that took place many years ago may continue to affect a persons thoughts, behavior and even dreams.

 Psychological factors are associated with a persons experiences Most of the experiences are interpersonal events that takes place in interaction with others. People also have intrapsychic experiences, that occur in their thoughts and feelings.

Sociocultural factors
The term sociocultural refers to the various to various circles of social influence in the lives of the people. The most immediate circle. A second circle A third circle

Abnormality: A Biopsychosocial perspective Take the example of depression- Depression can be caused by chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression is explained as the anger turned inward or depressed anger by Freud. The cognitive triad of the depression, The symptoms exhibited is influenced by the cultural factors. Depression can be caused by a an extreme stress. The depressive symptoms in the American society may not be considered as depressive symptoms in some other cultures. Holistic or integrative approach helps in understanding the illnesses better and in planning the treatment by multidisciplinary team.

Causes of abnormality
Biological Genetic influence Medical conditions Brain damage Exposure to environmental stimuli Psychological Traumatic experience Learned associations Distorted perceptions Faulty ways of thinking Sociocultural Disturbance in intimate relationships Problems in extended relationship Political and social unrest Discrimination toward ones social group

Facts about mental illness

Mental illness strikes 1 in 5 families There is a relationship between creativity and mood disorder Andreasen (1987) 80% of the writers suffered from a mood disorder (experimental group) where as 30% of control group suffered from mood disorder. Rate of psychological disturbance especially mood disorder in the form of depression was significantly high among relatives of the writers than the control group.