Statistical Infrequency: This definition can provide an objective way, based on data, to define abnormality if an agreed cut-off point can be identified., No value judgements are made e.g. homosexuality was defined as a mental disorderbut with this it would not be seen as wrong but merely as less frequent as hetrosexuality, fails to distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour, Many rare behaviours or characteristics have no bearing on what is normal or abnormal , Deviation from Social Norms: Comprehensive – Covers a broad range of criteria, This definition gives a social dimension to the idea of abnormality, which offers an alternative to the 'sick in the head' individual., can vary from culture to culture., Unrealistic – Most people do not meet all the ideals because few people experience personal growth all the time, One limitation of the deviation of social norms definition is that norms can vary over time., Failure to Function Adequately: The definition provides a practical checklist of seven criteria individuals can use to check their level of abnormality., It matches the sufferers' perceptions., might not be linked to abnormality but to other factors, Cultural relativism is one limitation; what may be seen as functioning adequately in one culture may not be adequate in another. This is likely to result in different diagnoses in different cultures., is context dependent; not eating can be seen as failing to function adequately but prisoners on hunger strikes making a protest can be seen in a different light., Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Difficulty of meeting all criteria, very few people would be able to do so and this suggests that very few people are psychologically healthy., Cultural relativism: these ideas are culture-bound, based on a Western idea of ideal mental health, and should not be used to judge other cultures.,

FINS evaluation

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