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's thinking or behaviour is classified as abnormal if it violates social norms'. This statement refers to the concept of _______ in Abnormal Psychology.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Deviance
Option (1) Deviance — Correct. The first approach views abnormal behaviour as a deviation from social norms: behaviours, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal. Deviant behaviour is different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre compared with what the society expects.
Option (2) Distress — Incorrect. Distress means the behaviour is unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others. A behaviour can break a norm without upsetting anyone.
Option (3) Dysfunction — Incorrect. Dysfunction is interference with the ability to carry out daily activities; the passage gives it as the other definition, the person who cannot perform the behaviours needed for day-to-day living.
Option (4) Danger — Incorrect. Danger means the behaviour may harm the person or others. Breaking a social norm, such as not marrying a girl child early in the passage’s example, harms nobody.
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).…” “Concepts of Abnormality and Psychological Disorders … The first approach views abnormal behaviour as a deviation from social norms. Many psychologists have stated that ‘abnormal’ is simply a label that is given to a behaviour which is deviant from social expectations. Abnormal behaviour, thoughts and emotions are those that differ markedly from a society’s ideas of proper functioning. Each society has norms, which are stated or unstated rules for proper conduct. Behaviours, thoughts and emotions that break societal norms are called abnormal.…” |