Abnormal+Psychology

Definitions of Abnormality
 * Statistical deviation- Behaviors are distributed across a bell curve and abnormality is defined as those behaviors that are distributed farthest from the center of the curve.
 * Social Norm Violation- Abnormality is defined by the breaking of social "rules" Behavior is shaped by cultural "norms" or cultural expectation about behavior.
 * Maladaptive behavior- inability to reach personal goals or to adapt to the demands of life.
 * Personal distress- If it ain't broke don't fix it...
 * Deviation from an ideal- A person fails to meet certain Ideal or potential that we think exists somewhere.
 * Medical disorder- Abnormality is the result of a physical disease and abnormal behavior is a symptom of some physical disorder located within the individual.

Taken from Abnormal Psychology Lecture notes by David L. Gilles-Thomas, Ph.D., 1989