Study Document
Abnormal Behavior What Essentially Qualifies As Abnormal Research Paper
Pages:2 (677 words)
Sources:2
Document Type:Research Paper
Document:#50840937
Abnormal Behavior
What essentially qualifies as "abnormal behavior" is not always as cut and dry as many believe. For example, the medical model defines abnormal behavior in terms as the result of some physical problem (cellular derangement, chemical imbalance, or genetic issue) that causes the behavior; however, there are no physical markers for the majority of the diagnoses in the DSM-IV (Szasz, 2008). The legal definition of insanity, which was based on psychiatric definitions, is that abnormal behavior occurs when the individual is unable to distinguish between right and wrong; however this definition is far too extreme to be practical (Porter, 2002). For instance most rapists realize that their behavior is wrong by societal standards amd yet rape is certainly considered by most as abnormal.
The four commonly held criteria for normal vs. abnormal behavior include: (1) Statistical infrequency model, which states that abnormal behavior that falls on either extreme end of a normal distribution. The problem here is that someone with an extremely high IQ or some other trait would be defined abnormal by this criterion. (2) The disability or dysfunction model states the behavior somehow results in an alternation of what would be considered "normal" functioning in some area. This is really a catch 22 definition because it relies on the designation of "normal" behavior in its definition, which is akin to using the word in its definition. What is "normal" functioning?" is essentially the same question as "what is abnormal functioning?" (3) Personal distress notions of abnormality claim that the behavior leads to suffering or misery in the person. The issue here is that many obvious features of certain abnormal behaviors such as personality disorders or drug abuse often do not lead to personal distress in the individual affected by them. (4) Violation of social norms related to the notion that the behavior is a departure from the accepted norms in the person's reference or peer group. There are several issues here: cultural contexts can be hard to assess; they change frequently (look at all…
Sample Source(s) Used
References
American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, IV- Text Revision. Washington, DC: Author.
Porter, R. (2002). Madness: A brief history. New York: Oxford University Press.
Szasz, T. (2008). Psychiatry: The science of lies. New York: Syracuse University Press.
Related Documents
Study Document
Richard Dawkins' the Selfish Gene Jonathan Kozol's
Richard Dawkins' the Selfish Gene Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities: Children America's Schools. Plus, read websites: http://www.ou./cls/online/lstd5013/dawkins.shtml http://salmonriver. Richard Dawkins' "The Selfish Gene" Jonathan Kozol's "Savage Inequalities: Children America's Schools" There has recently been much controversy regarding genes, as technology has made it possible for people to make intriguing discoveries regarding the topic and a series of individuals have come up with interesting theories concerning genes. Individuals like Richard Dawkins have gone even
Study Document
TV Character Brian Griffin Is
While neither of his parents were substance abusers, they were also normal dogs. It is possible that Brian's abnormal nature as a dog with human qualities may leave him with underlying identity issues, however. These issues may manifest as narcissistic personality disorder in Brian. The character has a strong sense of entitlement and feels superior to others. Yet his outcomes are seldom successful and this may in fact reinforce
Study Document
Consultant Pharmacists Impact on the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia...
Consultant Pharmacists Impact on the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia
What is Cholesterol, and Why is it of Concern?
Guidelines for Treating Hypercholesterolemia
Management of Hypercholesterolemia
Management of Hypercholesterolemia By Different Health Care Workers.
Practical Management of Hypercholesterolemia
Community Pharmacists and the Management of Hypercholesterolemia
Economic Impact of Pharmacists' Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia
This paper will look at the impact of consultant pharmacists on the
Study Document
Development of Aggression From a Heritability Perspective
Aggression from a Heritability Perspective There is a social bias against the idea of aggression, so that many people conflate the ideas of aggression and violence, so that they cannot separate them. This suggests that aggression is negative, which is not necessarily the case. The result has been that suggestions that aggression is somehow genetic have been morphed into the notion that people carrying those genes must somehow be inferior
Study Document
Management Development Process Has Been
Previously the element of interest and personal motivation were found missing, the technical capabilities of the employees have never been a matter of debate, however the personal and mental capacities and limitations are either ignored or not respected which resulted in the poor performance of the organization. Apparently, the rise in the demands pertaining to the particpation of the employees and the industrial democracy has also distorted the professional
Study Document
Five Factor Model Introduction Central
214). The author notes many empirical reasons for his critique of the five-factor model. Among the many objections that are put forward is the assertion that there is in the breadth of the five factors an indefiniteness and inconsistency. Block also refers to the descriptive coarseness of the "Big Five." Block's article has created much debate on this subject. A useful study that counters many of arguments put forward by