Abnormal Behavior Paper Law Essay Research Coursework

Abnormal Behavior
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Abnormal Behavior
Challenges in Classifying Normal Versus Abnormal Behavior
The definitions of normality vary widely depending on the context thus, the description of a normal person becomes subjective. Such perceptions carry significant repercussions for the individual therefore, it becomes paramount to diagnose abnormality correctly. A person classified as abnormal thus may face a myriad of challenges, especially with social exclusion and discrimination. Therefore, with the extensive spectrum of behaviors classified as normal, drawing the line on abnormal behavior becomes extremely difficult.
On the one hand, abnormal behavior can be determined through statistical infrequency in which the behavior may be termed abnormal due to its rarity. On the other hand, this classification may fail to mention the desirability of such a trait. In this case, while a behavior may be defined as abnormal, such as high IQ levels, it becomes highly desirable by the majority of people (Sue et al., 2015). However, traits generally common in human beings may be undesirable but statistically frequent. With such differences, the classification of abnormal behavior becomes arbitrary, hence difficult to appropriately classify a type of behavior as abnormal.
Additionally, social norms used to classify normal behavior can differ among regions and cultures. Therefore, some behaviors may be termed normal in Europe but referred to as abnormal in Africa. The ability of social norms to change over time makes it an inappropriate mode of judging an individual’s character traits (Sue et al., 2015). Furthermore, the idea that individuals who cannot fully cope with the demands of everyday life are abnormal has its faults. People with such characteristics may use a particular behavior as a coping mechanism that makes their experiences better. Therefore, people who use drugs such as alcohol to cope with the daily lives are perceived to be normal, despite such activities causing self-harm to their bodies. Consequently, this disconnect poses significant challenges in determining how and why a behavior should be classified either as normal or abnormal in an individual.
Psychosocial, Biological/Medical, and Sociocultural Theoretical Models
The biological/medical model perceives abnormal behavior due to problems in the body, especially in brain function or chemical imbalances. Several disorders occur due to degraded brain functioning leading to the changes in behavior in a patient (Bridley & Daffin, 2020). For instance, when cells in the brain stop making dopamine, the effects lead to loss of muscle control hence the diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, activities in the brain majorly affect normal functioning leading to changes in behavior, thus showing the significance of this model in describing and diagnosing different behavioral disorders.
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