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.
'It is believed that psychological disorders are something to be ashamed of'. This is because of a _________ attached to mental illness.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Stigma
Option (1) Deviance — Incorrect. Deviance is a feature of the disorder itself, behaviour that is different, extreme or unusual. It describes the behaviour, not the shame that society attaches to mental illness.
Option (2) Danger — Incorrect. Danger means the behaviour may be harmful to the person or to others. Being ashamed of a disorder is about how people look at it, not about any risk.
Option (3) Distress — Incorrect. Distress is the unpleasant and upsetting quality of the disorder for the person and those around. It is felt because of the problem, not attached to it by society.
Option (4) Stigma — Correct. It is commonly believed that a psychological disorder is something to be ashamed of. This is the stigma attached to mental illness, and because of it people are hesitant to consult a doctor or psychologist. A psychological disorder, which shows a failure in adaptation, should be viewed as any other illness.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 31-05-2023 (Slot 3).
NCERT (2025-26): “Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders … If you talk to people around, you will see that they have vague ideas about psychological disorders that are characterised by superstition, ignorance and fear. Again it is commonly believed that psychological disorder is something to be ashamed of. The stigma attached to mental illness means that people are hesitant to consult a doctor or psychologist because they are ashamed of their problems. Actually, psychological disorder which indicates a failure in adaptation should be viewed as any other illness.…” |