Normality vs.
Abnormality
Normality vs. Abnormality
• Normality
The absence of illness and the presence of state of well being called
normality.
• The condition of being normal; the state of being usual, typical, or expected
• Abnormality
• A physical malformation; deformity
• Deviation from the typical or usual; irregularity
•
( According to Morgan & King)
Abnormality is the significant deviation from commonly accepted patterns
of behavior, emotion or thought".
NORMALITY
• As we have seen, normality means different things to different
people at different times in different settings. If, as a soldier, we
shoot someone in wartime we may receive a medal; if we shoot
someone in peacetime we will be put in prison. If we lose our job and
someone close to us dies then it is normal for us to be unhappy and
depressed. In fact if we were not unhappy and depressed it would be
abnormal. Therefore we have to look at emotions and behavior in the
context in which they occur
• Characteristics of a normal mentality, person
• 1. Efficient perception of reality
• They have a realistic view of their strengths and weaknesses
• They know what they have the ability to do and what they cannot
do. They have a realistic Perception of what is happening around
them and their reactions to those events
• 2. Self knowledge
• They have an understanding of WHY they do things and WHY they
have certain emotions. None of us has complete Insight into our
feelings and behavior but normal people have more Insight than the
mentally ill
• 3. ability to control behaviour
• Occasionally normal people may act impulsively [Without thinking]
but normally they can control DRIVES such as aggression
• 4. Self-esteem
• They know their own value and feel happy with their achievements
and abilities. They feel accepted by those around them. They may
wish that they were more handsome or intelligent but they don't
allow these ideas to rule their lives. They know that though they may
not be handsome they have a nice personality or, that though they
cannot be a university professor they are doing a useful job which
brings in money for the family to live on.
• Mentally disordered people often feel that they are worthless and
not accepted by other people. They may blame society or other
people for their feelings of worthlessness and Rejection
• 5. Able to form close relationships
• NORMAL people are able to form close and satisfying friendships
and relationships. They are aware of other peoples feelings and
beliefs and adapt to them.
• Mentally disordered people often think only of their own problems
and are unable to care about other peoples problems [they are often
Self-centered]. Sometimes they do not want to form close
friendships because at some time in the past they were emotionally
hurt by the breakup of a relationship
• 6. Productivity
• They are able to channel their energies into work' and social life. They
are enthusiastic about their lives and enjoy activities.
• Mentally disordered people often feel chronically tired and each day
is an obstacle to be suffered, not enjoyed.
Criteria often used in defining abnormality
• 1. Deviation from social norms
• Every society has certain standards [or Norms] of behavior that it
expects. Such things as the way we dress, politeness, bad language
are subject to certain rules [often unwritten]. However, Social Norms
are different in different societies. Eating in public during the day at
Ramadan would be regarded as a deviation in the Emirates and
would be punished. It would not be a deviation in a non-Islamic
country.
• 2. Maladaptive behaviour
• Behavior is abnormal if it is Maladaptive ie: it has an adverse [bad]
effect on the well-being of the individual or society. For example a
person who is so frightened of crowds that he cannot leave his home
or a person who drinks so much alcohol that he cannot live a normal
life. Individuals who are violent and aggressive have a bad effect on
society. They may release their aggression on the roads and cause
traffic accidents or indulge in crime.
• 3. Personal distress
• In this criteria one would look at the person's subjective [internal]
feelings rather than their [external] behavior. They may feel unhappy,
depressed and agitated. They may be unable to concentrate or sleep.
They may hide these feelings from others and their behavior may
appear normal. There may be the "Smiling Depression" where an
individual is very depressed but hides that depression from family
and friends. Often the first that his family know of the depression is
when he attempts to kill himself.
Anatomy of Pulp-By Faisal BS-Dental Technology 04/04/2021 13
