★ Must-know
📌 Distress refers to the suffering caused by behaviour or mental experiences for the individual, whereas dysfunction refers to interference with effective everyday functioning.
📌 Statistical rarity, norm violation, distress and dysfunction must be considered together because none of the four criteria is necessary or sufficient on its own to identify abnormal behaviour.
Further detail
1. Which statement best defines abnormal behaviour?
2. When does a violation of a social norm contribute to classifying behaviour as abnormal?
3. A person experiences intense suffering from intrusive mental experiences but continues to perform daily tasks effectively. Which criterion is most directly illustrated?
What defines abnormal behaviour in society?
Behaviour that does not adhere to societal standards of normality.
How does statistical rarity classify behaviour?
By how infrequently it occurs in society, including positive deviations.
When is behaviour classified as abnormal by norm violation?
When it is negatively evaluated as socially unacceptable or inconsistent with expectations.
What does distress mean in abnormal behaviour?
Suffering caused by behaviour or mental experiences for the individual.
What does dysfunction mean in abnormal behaviour?
Interference with effective everyday functioning.
Why must the four criteria be considered together to identify abnormal behaviour?
Because none is necessary or sufficient alone to identify abnormal behaviour.
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