Final answer:
The deviation from the norm criterion is not specific enough for accurate identification of mental disorders, because it does not account for cultural, situational contexts, and the wide range of normal behaviors, leading to potential over-diagnosis and under-diagnosis of mental health conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
One disadvantage of using the deviation from the norm criterion for mental disorders is that it is not specific enough to identify mental disorders accurately. This definition does not consider the cultural and situational contexts in which behaviors occur, nor does it allow for a wide range of what may be considered 'normal' behavior in different environments and societies. Relying solely on deviation from norms can result in labeling normal behavioral variations as disorders or missing disordered behavior that is considered normal within a subculture.
Moreover, psychologists and psychiatrists use comprehensive manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose mental disorders. This tool outlines specific symptoms and criteria for diagnosis, which allows for more precise identification of mental conditions than the broad and subjective notion of 'deviation from norms.' Furthermore, mental disorders are highly complex and can manifest differently across individuals, necessitating diagnostic criteria that take these variations into account.