,What is abnormal behavior or
psychological disorder?
Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or actions that
are deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional.
Dysfunctional means it prevents the individual
from functioning in their daily lives.
,Normal vs Abnormal: Making
the Distinction
Defining Abnormality
◼ Abnormality as deviation from the average
◼ Abnormality as deviation from the ideal
◼ Abnormality as a sense of personal distress
◼ Abnormality as the inability to function
effectively
◼ Abnormality as a legal concept
, Normal vs Abnormal: Making the
Distinction
❑ Defining Abnormality
1) Deviant from the average/typical- being different
from most other people in one’s culture. Abnormal
behaviors are rare or occur infrequently (statistical
infrequency) in a specific society or culture and
label those deviations from the norm “abnormal.”
2) Deviant from the ideal- being different enough
from some kind of norm, ideal or cultural standard
(i.e., unjustifiable). Deviance can also vary with
culture, context and time. Deviant behavior (going
naked) in one culture may be considered normal,
while in others it may lead to arrest.
psychological disorder?
Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or actions that
are deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional.
Dysfunctional means it prevents the individual
from functioning in their daily lives.
,Normal vs Abnormal: Making
the Distinction
Defining Abnormality
◼ Abnormality as deviation from the average
◼ Abnormality as deviation from the ideal
◼ Abnormality as a sense of personal distress
◼ Abnormality as the inability to function
effectively
◼ Abnormality as a legal concept
, Normal vs Abnormal: Making the
Distinction
❑ Defining Abnormality
1) Deviant from the average/typical- being different
from most other people in one’s culture. Abnormal
behaviors are rare or occur infrequently (statistical
infrequency) in a specific society or culture and
label those deviations from the norm “abnormal.”
2) Deviant from the ideal- being different enough
from some kind of norm, ideal or cultural standard
(i.e., unjustifiable). Deviance can also vary with
culture, context and time. Deviant behavior (going
naked) in one culture may be considered normal,
while in others it may lead to arrest.
