Every day, hundreds of people are labelled abnormal and told that they need help. However, few people know of the true psychological impacts that being labeled as ‘abnormal’ can have on one.
When we suggest that abnormality exists, we imply that normality also exists, so what does it mean to be normal? According to the oxford dictionary, to be normal is to conform to a standard; usual, typical, or expected. This definition, however, is seen as controversial as is is almost impossible to come up with a universal standard for normality, for instance, different culture will see different things as standard; An African tribe performs rituals which would be seen to be ‘abnormal’ or unusual to other cultures and vise versa.
In psychology, abnormality can be defined in several different ways:
1.Statistical infrequency- A quality against the majority.
2.A violation of social norms- Something that violates unwritten social rules and/or causes discomfort to others.
3.Failure to function adequately- If one is unable to cope with the demands of everyday life.
4.Deviation from ideal mental health- If one has poor mental health, low self esteem, is highly dependent and/or has a poor relationship with their friends or family, then they are deviated from ideal mental health.
Psychologists will define one as abnormal in an instance when one is believed to need help, but does labelling one as abnormal really help? For instance, according to the statistical infrequency definition, those with desirable qualities may also be abnormal- Genii make up 1% of the population, a small minority, but they do not need medication to get back to society’s standards and calling them abnormal may force them to suppress their intelligence to conform to the mode of society and also deprive them of a healthy state of mind as they constantly question themselves for being the way.
Additionally, questioning the labelling of ‘abnormal’ forces us to question labels as a whole and why we label others. Labeling others sets up an expectation of life that is often so compelling we can no longer see things as they really are. The expectation often gives us a false sense of familiarity toward something that is really new and unprecedented. Labels tend to arise from stereotypes, though this is not always the case.
Rather than labelling people, we should accept them for who they are and the choices they make. If we cannot accept the ways of one, we should at least tolerate them.
