Interpersonal Theory of

Abnormality
• The interpersonal theory of abnormality, stemming from Harry
Sullivan's work, focuses primarily on how negative relationships
that are long-term can greatly impact an individual and
cause abnormal behaviour and mental disorders.

• Some of the concepts within interpersonal theory include stages of

psychosocial development, theories of self-concept,
and attachment theory.
• Erik Erikson's famous theory of psychosocial development
describes various stages children go through as they grow, each
involving a crisis that needs to be solved. Some of the stages
include trust vs. mistrust and intimacy vs. isolation.

• In the trust stage, if the child is abused or mistreated, they are likely
to grow up as distrustful. In this way, negative relationships and
events within each stage can lead to abnormal behaviour and
mental illness.
• Attachment theory by John Bowlby explains how early childhood
experiences with the caregiver can influence relationships in later life.

• Quite simply, a child-caregiver relationship that is loving and secure

will promote a confident individual who seeks relationships that are
also loving and secure,

• while those raised in an inconsistent or avoidant method may be

filled with anxiety and be insecure, jealous, and needy in future
relationships.
• Interpersonal theories of abnormality also discuss how the self-
concept of the child is influenced by criticism and feedback they get
as they grow up.

• If a child grows up and is constantly criticized about an aspect of

themselves, they may repress that part (the 'not me') and hold in
anger or anxiety in relation to it. Scripts and prototypes are also
created involving how the child sees the self and their expectations
in relationships. Conflict and negative relationships can again lead to
anxiety and abnormal behavior.