M5-A1-PSY101-A02 Disturbed or Abnormal

Due Saturday, April 22, 2017. Complete your participation for this assignment by Wednesday, April 26, 2017.

Your textbook lists seven criteria that psychologists use when labeling someone’s behavior as “disturbed” or “abnormal.” Review the list from your textbook.

Psychologists may use a combination of these criteria for determining that behavior is disturbed or abnormal. Of the seven criteria for abnormal behavior, which two do you think are most valid? Which two are the least valid?

In the discussion below, identify the two most valid criteria and the two least valid criteria. Provide an argument for your position, stating your rationale for your choices.

Please be sure you address each question, using terms and concepts from your text. A good initial discussion response should be at least 150–250 words in length. In order to earn full credit for participation, you must respond to two or more classmates in a substantive manner before the end of the module.

Criteria you might use to label behavior as “

abnormal

”.

1

. Distress or disability

. An individual experiences personal distress or disabled functioning, which

produces a risk of physical or psychological deterioration or loss of freedom

of action. For example, a man who cannot leave his home without weeping would be unable to pursue

ordinary

life

goals.

2.

Maladaptiveness.

An individual acts in ways that hinder goals, do not contribute to personal well-

being, or interfere strongly with the goals of others and the need

of society. Someone who is drinking so

heavily that she

cannot hold down a job or who is endangering others

through her intoxication is

displaying maladaptive behavior.

3.

Irrationality.

An individual acts or talks in ways that are irrational or incomprehensible to others. A

man who responds to voices th

at do not exist in objective reality is behaving irrationally.

4.

Unpredictability.

An individual behaves unpredictably or erratically from situation to situation, as if

experi

encing a loss of control. A child who smashes his fist through a wind

ow for no apparent reason

displays

unpredictability.

5

. Unconventionality and statistical rarity

. An individual behaves in ways that are statistically rare and

that violate social standards of what is acceptable or desirable. Just being statistic

ally unusual, however,

does not lead to a psychological judgmen

t of abnormality. For example, possessing genius

-level

intelligence is extremely rare, but it is also considered desirable. Conversely, having

extremely low

intelligence is also rare bu

t is considered

undesirable; thus it has often been labeled abnormal.

6.

Observer discomfort.

An individual creates discomfort in others by making them feel threatened or

distressed

in some way. A woman walking down the middle of the sidewalk, ha

ving a loud conversation

with herself, creates observer discomfort in other pedestrians trying to

avoid

her.

7.

Violation of moral and ideal standards

. An individual violates expectations for how one ought to

behave with

respect to societal norms

. Thus, if people generally think it is important to provide care to

one’s offspring, parents

who abandoned their children might be considered abnormal.

Gerrig, R.J. (2012).

Psychology and Life.

(20th edition). (pp. 386

-387)

Pearson

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