Aarav, a 22-year-old in Pune, began taking cocaine at parties. Within a year he was intoxicated for most of the day, missed work and quarrelled with his friends. He forgot what he had been told a few minutes earlier and could not keep his attention on a task. He now needs more of the drug to get the same 'high'. When he tried to stop for a week, he felt low, tired, irritable and anxious, and could not sleep. His sister Meera, a dance student, has started skipping meals because her teachers praise thin dancers.
Aarav's missing work and his quarrels with friends point most directly to which feature of abnormal behaviour?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Dysfunctional
Option (1) Deviant — Incorrect. Deviant behaviour goes against the norms of society. The question is about his failing at work and with friends, which is a loss of functioning.
Option (2) Dysfunctional — Correct. Dysfunctional behaviour interferes with a person's daily functioning, such as work and relationships. Aarav misses work and quarrels with friends, so his behaviour is dysfunctional.
Option (3) Distressing — Incorrect. Distressing behaviour is upsetting to the person or to others. Aarav's low and anxious feelings on stopping show distress, but missing work shows a loss of functioning.
Option (4) Dangerous — Incorrect. Dangerous behaviour puts the person or others at risk of harm. Missing work and quarrels do not by themselves show danger to anyone.
NCERT (2026-27): “Abnormal behaviour is behaviour that is deviant, distressing, dysfunctional, and dangerous. Those behaviours are seen as abnormal which represent a deviation from social norms and which interfere with optimal functioning and growth.” |