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Unit 1 Normal Human Experience Normal Human Experience UNIT 1 NORMAL HUMAN EXPERIENCE Structure 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Objectives 1.2 The Concept of Normality 1.3 Concepts of Abnormality 1.3.1 Statistical Infrequency 1.3.2 Violation of Social Norms 1.3.3 Maladaptive Behaviour 1.3.4 Personal Distress 1.3.5 Failure to Function Adequately 1.4 Other Models of Abnormality 1.5 History of Psychopathology 1.6 Let Us Sum Up 1.7 Unit End Questions 1.8 Glossary 1.9 Suggested Readings 1.10 Answers to Self Assessment Questions 1.0 INTRODUCTION Psychopathology is the scientific study of abnormal behaviour. In the field of mental health, clinicians are concerned with disturbed behaviour, its severity and duration amongst patients, and look for indications of diagnosis, treatment and follow up. At one extreme are the greatly and visibly disturbed people, once called insane, mad or lunatic, and now called the psychotic. At the other end are the unhappy people, unable to cope effectively with life demands, limited in their ability to love, work or find meaning in their lives, either over long periods or in brief, stress-related episodes. Against standards of mental health or normality these are all described as forms of mental disorder or psychopathology. But what defines psychological normality and abnormality? In this unit we will deal with this issue. This unit introduces a number of issues that are important to abnormal psychology. It starts by defining what is meant by normality and abnormality. Next we will describe the phenomena of psychopathology in terms of levels of dysfunctions. Lastly we will study the history of psychopathology. 1.1 OBJECTIVES After completing this unit, you will be able to: • Define normality; • Elucidate the concept of normality; • Describe the criteria for abnormality; and • Analyse the growth of the history of psychopathology. 5 Introduction to Psychopathology 1.2 THE CONCEPT OF NORMALITY Concept of normality is difficult to explain as over a period of time this concept has been changing. Traditionally it was conceptualised as the person’s adjustment to his environment. But now it is termed as ‘adaptability’. The concept of normality focuses more on positive attributes such as individuality, creativity and self-fulfilment. But most of us are unable to explore or realise our potentials to the maximum and lead routine lives. Yet, we would not be considered abnormal and maladjusted. There is no clear consensus as to how normality is defined and which particular types of disordered behaviour can be considered abnormal. Normality and abnormality are viewed on a continuum with the characteristics and attributes present in greater degree in normal people than in abnormal people. Offer and Sabshin (1966) had surveyed the many meanings of normality which have arisen in psychology, psychiatry, sociology and anthropology. Based on their analysis normality is viewed as Health (meaning ‘not sick’), as an Ideal state, as Average, as Socially acceptable and as Process (change over time). Following are some of the norms used to define normality: Psychological normality has most often been defined either as an average, an ideal, or a level of adjustment. Normality as an average is a statistical definition that identifies the typical or most common behaviours among a group of people as being normal for that group. Have not we heard at time people saying to a person behaving differently, that “why can’t you be like others?” This ‘others’ behaviour is the normal and those who differ from this are brought back into the main stream. Identifying some large middle percentage of a group of persons as showing normal behaviour has the benefit of providing a precise criterion for deciding whom to consider abnormal, namely those who fall outside this middle range. Attention to typical patterns of behaviour also promotes cultural sensitivity and helps clinicians avoid seeing psychopathology where none exists. Cultural sensitivity in this regard consists of recognising that ‘normal’ for a person depends in part on the attitudes and behaviour patterns that are valued in the groups to which the person belongs. Being aware of normality in terms of customs, traditions, and expectations, an abnormal behaviour in a person may be even considered normal (for instance possession syndrome) in that person’s sociocultural context. Such behaviours in another culture may be considered abnormal and may require treatment. Thus the cultural sensitivity to a great extent helps clinicians and psychologists not to attribute psychopathology where it is not considered pathological but part of a cultural behaviour. Psychological disturbance from seemingly strange characteristics may be common in a subculture but others may not be familiar with it because they are not part of that culture. i) State of perfection as normality Another way to define normality is to refer to a state of perfection that people 6 aspire to but seldom attain. This “nobody is perfect” assumes that all people struggle with psychological limitations of one kind or another that prevent them Normal Human Experience from being as happy and successful as they would like to be. Regarding normality as an ideal way of being avoids statistical decisions that label unusually intelligent, happy, or productive people as abnormal. Further this approach calls attention to the potential for people to become more than what they are, the ideal perspective on normality encourages striving toward self improvement and the active pursuit of greater happiness and success. On the other hand by implying that almost everyone is disturbed to some extent, normality as an ideal is a difficult concept to apply. ii) Level of adjustment as normality Level of adjustment as a criterion for normality refers to whether people can cope reasonably well with their experiences in life, particularly with respect to being able to establish enjoyable interpersonal relationships and work constructively toward self fulfilling goals. When normality is defined in these terms, abnormality becomes a state of mind or way of acting that prevents people from dealing adequately with the social and occupational demands of daily life. iii) Reality testing as normality Normal persons are able to perceive, interpret and react to what is going on in the world around them in a realistic manner. They appraise themselves in a realistic manner, neither overestimate nor underestimate themselves. They do not misunderstand what others say and do and are able to analyse situations critically. iv) Behaviour control as normality Normal persons feel in control and are confident in themselves regarding controlling and directing their behaviour. They are able to control their aggressive and sexual impulses. Whenever there is a problem with conforming to social norms, it is usually a well thought out and voluntary decision and not due to uncontrollable impulses. v) Self worth as normality Normal individuals are able to appreciate their own self worth and feel accepted by society. They are comfortable in their social relationships and are able to accept and listen to differences of opinion and if they are convinced ready to change their own views also. vi) Self awareness as normality Even if normal persons do not fully understand their feelings and behaviour yet they do have some awareness of their feelings and motives. Important motives and feelings may be suppressed or hidden from oneself and normal persons would be aware of their feelings and emotions and know the motivation behind their behaviour. vii) Social relationships as normality Normal individuals are able to form and maintain close, long term and healthy relationships with other people. They do not manipulate or use relationships to their own advantage and are also sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. 7 Introduction to They are able to reciprocate and provide comfort and affection to people close to Psychopathology them. viii) Effective functioning Normal people are enthusiastic about life and use their skills and abilities in productive and creative manner. They are able to meet demands of daily life without any need for external force or pressure. 1.3 CONCEPTS OF ABNORMALITY If we define normality by the above said perspectives, then the opposite of these should mean abnormality. However such statement could be only partly true. Absence of these certainly leads to maladjustment with self and society and also to certain psychological problems. 1.3.1 Statistical Infrequency Under this definition, a person’s trait, thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it is rare or statistically unusual. With this definition it is necessary to be clear about how rare a trait or behaviour needs to be before we class it as abnormal. For instance one may say that an individual who has an IQ below or above the average level of IQ in society is abnormal (Figure 1.1 below normal distribution). However this definition obviously has limitations, it fails to recognise the desirability of the particular behaviour. Going back to the example, someone who has an IQ level above average would not necessarily be seen as abnormal. Rather they would be highly regarded for their intelligence. This definition also implies that the presence of abnormal behaviour in people should be rare or statistically unusual, which not the case. Instead, any specific abnormal behaviour may be unusual, but it is not unusual for people to exhibit some form of abnormal behaviour at some point in their lives. The major limitation of this approach is that it fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour. Statistically speaking, many very gifted individuals could be classified as ‘abnormal’ using this definition. The use of the term abnormal in this context would not be appropriate. Many rare behaviours or characteristics (e.g. left handedness) have no bearing on normality or abnormality. Some characteristics are regarded as abnormal even though they are quite frequent.
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