In this essay I will examine the concepts of normality and abnormality.

The concept of
normality assumes that there is a most appropriate behavior that is healthy. The
concept of abnormality assumes that deviation from what is normal is a sign of
problems. There are four different ways to explain the concept of abnormality.
Abnormal is first defined as deviation from statistical norms, where statistical abnormal
behavior is behavior that is different from what is average, for example, having very low
IQ or having much higher than average body mass. There is an assumption that
behaviors that are statistically normal are less likely to cause problems for people.
However, statistically normal behaviors can cause problems for people, such as obesity.
Another assumption is that it is possible to use statistics to decide what is normal and
abnormal. However, this is difficult in real-world situations where people show complex
behaviors that change over time. Using statistics does not pass judgment on the
behaviors being a genius is statistically rare but possibly desirable.
Another definition consists of deviation from social norms. This is behavior that is
different from what is expected, for example talking to oneself in public. There is an
assumption that there is a socially correct way to behave. This may be true in a monocultural society but many Western cultures are becoming multi-cultural.
Suffering is also a cause of abnormality. As people who have a psychological disorder
tend to experience suffering as well. The assumption is that people who are suffering
are suffering because they have a disorder. However, this is not always the case that
everyone with a disorder will experience or report suffering.
Abnormality via mental illness criteria is an attempt to be objective and an attempt to
standardize diagnosis and treatment. This definition assumes a reductionist position as
it reduces complex behavior to a list of symptoms that do not suit every individual. It
often reduces the treatment of behavior to the use of drugs.
Therefore, it is difficult to decide what is normal and abnormal. Furthermore, people do
not have an accurate perception of themselves. This is supported by a study by Taylor
and Brown (1988). The aim was to see if normal people have more of an accurate
perception of themselves than people with a psychological disorder. The researchers
conducted a literature review from studies about the attitudes and beliefs of people
with a psychological disorder. The results showed that normal people had an
unrealistically positive view of themselves. For example: it is typical in happiness
research that 60% of people report that they are happier than the average. Normal

people describe themselves using more positive words than other people use when they
describe them. Positive words are used to protect self-esteem. To be normal means to
overemphasize positive traits. People with low self-esteem and moderate depression
are more likely to be aware of their negative traits.
It is very difficult for experts to judge what is normal and what is abnormal behavior.
Rosenhan (1973) provides evidence for this in her study that aimed to test whether
hospitals can detect whether a person really is mentally ill or not, and then to observe
how patients are treated in hospitals. Rosenhan organized for colleagues and friends
without any diagnosed psychological disorders to go to psychiatric hospitals and report
that they had been hearing voices. These people were pseudopatients. Apart from
questions relating to these experiences, they answered all questions honestly. Most of
them were admitted to the hospital and were given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. After
that, most of their behavior was considered abnormal. For example, when taking notes
about what happened in the hospital, hospital staff recorded that this patients writing
was excessive and abnormal; when they walked the corridors because they were bored
they were accused of obsessive pacing. This shows how difficult it is for even experts in
the field to see the judge the differences between normal and abnormal.