Read the passage given below to answer.
A person's thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates social norms. Norms are expected behaviour in a group. Every culture has certain standards for accepting behaviour as per socially acceptable norms. For example - child marriage was a norm about hundred years ago. Those who did not marry their girl child like everyone else were considered to be breaking the norm. The most obvious problem with defining abnormality using social norms is that there is no universal agreement over social norms. Another definition of abnormality states that a person is considered abnormal if he/she is unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day-to-day living eg. self care, holding a job, managing everyday tasks. We must understand that mental health issues are prevalent in all cultures as there is ignorance and fear about psychological disorders. It is believed that these disorders are something to be ashamed of.
'A person is considered to be abnormal if he/she is unable to perform the behaviours necessary for day to day living'. This explains abnormality due to _________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Dysfunction
Option (1) Deviance — Incorrect. Deviant behaviour is different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre; it breaks the norms of the society. The definition in the question speaks of what the person cannot do, not of how unusual the behaviour is.
Option (2) Distress — Incorrect. Distressing behaviour is unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others. The question says nothing about feelings of upset; it is about failing to carry out daily tasks.
Option (3) Dysfunction — Correct. Dysfunctional behaviour is interfering with the person’s ability to carry out daily activities in a constructive way. Being unable to perform the behaviours needed for day-to-day living, such as self care, holding a job and managing everyday tasks, is this very feature.
Option (4) Danger — Incorrect. Danger means the behaviour is possibly dangerous to the person or to others. A person can be unable to manage everyday tasks without being a risk to anyone.
NCERT (2025-26): “Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders … Although many definitions of abnormality have been used over the years, none has won universal acceptance. Still, most definitions have certain common features, often called the ‘four Ds’: deviance, distress, dysfunction and danger. That is, psychological disorders are deviant (different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre), distressing (unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others), dysfunctional (interfering with the person’s ability to carry out daily activities in a constructive way), and possibly dangerous (to the person or to others).…” |