Essay On Abnormality

993 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Defining abnormality essay

Yanela Castillo Per Merriam Webster’s dictionary, abnormality is defined as “something that is not usual, expected or normal”. However, in respect to psychology, it is very difficult to define abnormal behavior or abnormality. Barlow and Durand, define abnormality as “a psychological dysfunction within an individual that is associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected”. One can deem that most imperative and valid criteria’s for abnormality are distress and atypical response. Distress is defined as being unhappy or in pain (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, n.d.). This emotion alone does meet the criteria for abnormality. Distress is part of everyday life, whether it entails a death in the family or just a “bad day” at work or school, distress can become an abnormal component when one is exceedingly upset and/or cannot function appropriately. For example, at times, a person may be conflicted with an issue that saddens him or her to a point that it influences the decisions made. Individuals are able to work around the problem(s), and regulate emotions back to normality. However, if one was not able to return to a normal emotional state and remain in an extremely distressed condition then this amplifies abnormal behavior. Having an extreme response of any emotion or risky behavior seems to put one in danger of meeting one criterion for abnormality. Moving away from distress, we can also discuss someone having his or her social functions impaired. A person who is immoderately introverted or lethargic and refuses to interact with others, and shuns all contact with people, is perceived as having an abnormality. One can be seen abnormal per society if they deviate from t... ... middle of paper ... ...rt(s). Not conforming to social norms, makes one a target to arbitration and labeling whether or not a person is “normal” or “abnormal”. It is difficult to define what is peculiar and what is ordinary. These labels depend on one’s society and awareness of another’s culture/tradition, and/or whether or not a behavior fits into a particular category. If an individual manifests his/herself in one extreme of the spectrum, for instance, being in an heighten emotional state or being an introverted person; this type of marginality can be classified as abnormal. Meaning, that people should not always lean towards one side or the other, but if the person were to be “normal”, he/she would be better off in a homeostatic and/or balanced state of mind and existence; in other words as Aristotle once stated one should always remain in “The Golden Mean” (faculty.bucks.edu, n.d.).

Show More
Related

  • Normal From Vagnormal Behavior In The Movie Inside Out

    827 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to our text because of the difficult distinguishing normal from abnormal behavior, psychologists have struggled to devise a precise, scientific definition of “abnormal behavior” (Psychology and Your Life Feldam 2017). What is considered abnormal for some can be considered normal for others. The lifestyle practice that one chooses or the way an individual copes with life can differ amongst individuals. Deciding which coping style or preference is normal is or abnormal is generally is based off an individual's personal perception according to their own beliefs and practices.

    Read More

  • One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest: Every Person Is Different

    1243 Words  | 3 Pages

    Just following the ant in front of us, and everyone looking the same as the next. Not having any of there own ideas or thoughts of what to do and how to do it.   Some people are what you may call "normal", some are depressed, some are mentally ill, and some are just plain old crazy. In the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, written by Ken Kesey, the author shows how people can act so differently and have different ways of dealing with their problems. The story is narrated by Chief Bromden who is thought to be deaf and dumb.

    Read More

  • Disco Di Case Study

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this century, mental health have become just as important as physical health. Abnormal psychology is the category of psychology that explains each mental illness that human suffer from. In the case of “Disco Di”, Diana Miller is about a young girl who is registered in a psychiatric hospital for treatment for exhibiting traits that are associated with a mental illness after a long period of challenges. She is diagnosed with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder. Is this the correct diagnosis?

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Mary Louise Adams's Article 'Excerpts From The Trouble With Normal'

    1423 Words  | 3 Pages

    As highlighted by the author, Mary Louise Adams in her article, “Excerpts from The Trouble with Normal”, ‘a norm’ “can be defined as something that is usual, typical or standardized” (Hacking, Adams, 2003). Norms are often already so established that most individuals do not realize how much they have shaped society and the people who live in it. Audrey Lord tells us that being a “White, thin, young, heterosexual, Christian, male” defines the characteristics of being “normal” and “privileged,” in which she calls “the mythical norm” (Perry, 2011). We use our sexuality, race and class as a way of giving ourselves an identity for the world to see. This identity will ultimately allow us to understand our place in the world and give

    Read More

  • The Influence Of Conformity To Society

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    In society, it's difficult to go against the norm. Individuals are compelled to act a specific way, or look a specific way in order to be accepted. For instance, teenagers may encounter pressure from their peers to partake in specific exercises that may not be moral, since they feel the need to fit in. This weight of conformity isn't just present in reality; it can be found in literature as well. The story "St. Lucy’s Home For Girls Raised by Wolves" by Karen Russell depicts that in order to conform to society, individuals abandon their selflessness and compassion and become selfish and apathetic.

    Read More

  • Abnormal Psychology

    845 Words  | 2 Pages

    Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology in the area within psychology that is focused on maladaptive behavior-its causes, consequences, and treatment. Abnormal psychology deals with how it feels to be different, the meanings the get attached to being different, and how society deals with people whom it considers to be different. The spectrum of differences is wide, ranging from reality defying delusions and severe debilitations to worries and behavioral quirks that we would be better off not having but do not significantly interfere with our daily lives. An example of the milder end of the spectrum is a man who was an eminently successful district attorney, was elected governor of New York on three occasions, and was almost elected president of the United States in 1948. This man, Thomas E. Dewy, reached the pinnacle of success, displaying such qualities as rectitude, efficiency, precision, and nearly limitless capacity for hard work.

    Read More

  • Conformity Killing Today's Youth Analysis

    552 Words  | 2 Pages

    For example, when we vote, we are voting because we need someone in charge to lead us to a brighter future, some people are not going to stand for what you believe in, and some individuals might not even vote at all. Overall, I don’t believe that we, as society, should worry about what anybody else thinks of one another. Granted, it might sound selfish and conceited. Then again, so is being so desperate that some individuals would dress and apply themselves with gory tattoos or piercings for the shock value in our society than the comfort value. In the article, ¨Individuality vs. Conformity: The Healthy Middle?¨ the author resolves that there is a fragile balance between Conformity and Individuality, and that we are all there whether we like it or not. The author additionally remarks, ¨The real kicker is that this horrible teetering balance is everywhere. It exists in every form imaginable.¨ The author then claims that no matter how hard we try to be unique or a sheep in a herd, we can be different and similar at the same time from one

    Read More

  • Gender Dysphoria

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    In my opinion, I think it is common for children to act out of the norms at times. For example; one of my friends has a little boy that likes to put on his mom’s shoes for fun at times. Like the little boy in the video, my friend’s son is happy and healthy showing no signs of distress. Yes, it is abnormal behavior but in my opinion I don’t think that this type of behavior doesn’t appear to cause any distress. However; this type of

    Read More

  • Essay On Masculinity And Deviance

    1208 Words  | 3 Pages

    　　Several individuals within society typically follow social guidelines that they are unaware of performing. Social guidelines such as stopping at a red light or saying thank you when someone has done something for you. These social guidelines or norms give society a script to follow regarding their behavior and actions. Although norms are the acceptable actions and behaviors that society is taught to perform, there are occurrences where individuals stay away from those in which they are now enacting deviance. To act deviant is considered to break away or do something different of a social norm. There are several forms of deviance that occur frequently within society that violate social norms and hinder society’s overall function.

    Read More

  • Case Study Of Casey Weston's Vignette

    1317 Words  | 3 Pages

    When considering the 5 D’s of abnormality, he possesses characteristics of them all. For dysfunction, he experiences social dysfunction by being unable to create and maintain relationships. He also experiences emotional dysfunction by having a fear of being alone, bouts of crying, and feelings of low self-worth. Physiological symptoms such as insomnia,

    Read More

  • Abnormal And Abnormal Behavior

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    When I think of abnormal behavior, the first thing that comes to mind is one of my aunt’s. She committed suicide when I very young, so early 1970’s. As I got older, inevitably stories of her would arise during holiday get togethers. She was married with three children and in her early thirties, residing in Florida, when she walked out and away from her husband and small children. For over a year, no one knew what happened to her, she made no effort to contact anyone. Eventually, the Salvation Army somewhere in Michigan called my grandmother and they sent her home on a bus. She never returned to her husband or children. The doctors diagnosed her as a paranoid schizophrenic. My mother told me that when she was on her medication she was fine, but once she felt “fine”, she would stop her medication. When the medication left her system, she became anxious and afraid. She once chased my grandmother, who was in her late sixties down the driveway with an ax, because she thought her mother was trying to kill her. After several inpatient stays in mental hospitals, she came back home again and she was doing good. She left my grandmother’s one night while everyone was sleeping, made it approximately fifteen miles away to a lake.

    Read More

  • David's Changing View in The Chrysalids

    814 Words  | 2 Pages

    deviations and find themselves perfectly normal. For people shouldnt have that thought that what they

    Read More

  • Deviance and Social Control

    1733 Words  | 4 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... This is because I am aware how society tries to control what should be seen as normal, but as humans we are all individuals and there is no 'norm' there is only an ideal self, how society would like everyone to be and conform. Works Cited Ferrell, J. (2004). Boredom, Crime and Criminology, Theoretical Criminology, 8 (3), pp. 287-302.

    Read More

  • History of Mental Illness

    1507 Words  | 4 Pages

    History shows that signs of mental illness and abnormal behavior have been documented as far back as the early Greeks however, it was not viewed the same as it is today. The mentally ill were previously referred to as mad, insane, lunatics, or maniacs. W.B. Maher and B.A. Maher (1985) note how many of the terms use had roots in old English words that meant emotionally deranged, hurt, unhealthy, or diseased. Although early explanations were not accurate, the characteristics of the mentally ill have remained the same and these characteristics are used to diagnose disorders to date. Cultural norms have always been used to assess and define abnormal behavior. Currently, we have a decent understanding of the correlates and influences of mental illness. Although we do not have complete knowledge, psychopathologists have better resources, technology, and overall research skills than those in ancient times.

    Read More

  • What is Considered Normal in our World

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the most obvious things that we are noticing in our everyday lives is that people are distinctly different. There are 7 billion people sharing the earth. But how many are considered “normal”? When are people considered abnormal? To be normal is to adhere to a standard or norm, but unfortunately, normality is an impossible and unlikely dream that we will continue to strive for all our lives. We strive for it because it gives us that sense of self that we need to reassure us that we fit in. While undefined, depending on your upbringing, generation and culture, what you consider normal may not be normal for someone else because other countries and cultures have different traditions and practices that they view to be routine; and what in the past has been viewed as normal has evolved throughout the course of time.

    Read More

More about Essay On Abnormality

Open Document