List four major means used to judge abnormal behavior. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each criterion
What will be an ideal response?
Distress can manifest itself in physical illnesses, such as asthma and hypertension, as well as in physical symptoms, such as fatigue and nausea, and in extreme or prolonged emotional reactions, such as anxiety and depression. Intense, exaggerated, and prolonged distress can interfere with a person's capacity to function effectively and can cause discomfort for the individual and for others around that individual. However, distress is a common, normal, and even healthy response to many situations and, by itself, is not sufficient to determine abnormality.
Deviance: Deviance is related to using a statistical average and considers behavior in terms of that which occurs least frequently, thus equating commonplace with healthy. Deviance can be interpreted subjectively and is affected by social norms, which are ever-changing, although some behaviors (e.g., disorientation, hallucinations, delusions) are typically considered abnormal. This criterion fails to look at the various types of rare behavior and whether all rare behavior is in need of treatment or change. Exceptional creativity is not what most people consider abnormal behavior. Furthermore, so many people are likely to be deviant that such a definition would label large portions of the population abnormal.
Dysfunction: Emotional problems sometimes interfere with the performance of people's every day roles (student, teacher, friend, employee, etc.). Another way to consider abnormality is when an individual's performance is below that individual's potential. However, it is difficult to assess potential accurately and to determine whether a person is performing at his or her peak. Additionally, cultures have expectations for individuals in society; those who fall well short of expected performance of roles might be seen as dysfunctional.
Dangerousness: Predicting a client's dangerousness to self and others has been a critical element of diagnosing abnormality. Unfortunately, predicting dangerousness is difficult and usually inaccurate, there are no clear-cut criteria correlated with it (although previous violent behavior is a strong risk factor), mental health professionals tend to overpredict dangerousness (which can result in unwarranted deprivation of an individual's rights), and in reality, it is a statistical rarity.
No matter what definition is used, subjective judgments abound. In practice, abnormality is defined when several signs of it are present.
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