Discuss five ways of defining abnormality and the shortcomings of each, and describe the core feature of all abnormal behavior
What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: Answer will include each of the following: (1) Statistical abnormality: Some psychologists use statistics to define normality more objectively. Average, or normal scores would fall in the middle with low or high scores indicating abnormality.
However, being statistically unusual does not mean abnormal and statistical definitions cannot tell us where to draw the line between normality and abnormality. (2) Social nonconformity: Atypical behavior or non-conformity may underlie some disorders.
However, one must be careful to separate unhealthy nonconformity from creative lifestyles. In some cases, psychopathology involves rigid conformity. (3) Situational context: Almost any imaginable behavior can be considered normal in some contexts.
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