Abnormality (behavior)

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Abnormality (or dysfunctional behaviour) is a behavioral characteristic assigned to those with conditions that are regarded as rare or dysfunctional.[1] Behaviour is considered to be abnormal when it is atypical or out of the ordinary, consists of undesirable behaviour, and results in impairment in the individual's functioning.[2] Abnormality in behaviour, is that in which is considered deviant from specific societal, cultural and ethical expectations. These expectations are broadly dependent on age, gender, traditional and societal categorizations. The definition of abnormal behaviour is an often debated issue in abnormal psychology,[3] because of these subjective variables.

Abnormal behavior should not be confused with unusual behaviour. Behaviour that is out of the ordinary is not necessarily indicative of a mental or psychological disorder. Abnormal behaviour, on the other hand, while not a mental disorder in itself, is often an indicator of a possible mental and/or psychological disorder.[4] A psychological disorder is defined as an "ongoing dysfunctional pattern of thought, emotion, and behavior that causes significant distress, and is considered deviant in that person's culture or society".[5] It is important to note that abnormal behavior, as it relates to psychological disorders, would be "ongoing" and a cause of "significant distress". A mental disorder describes a patient who has a medical condition whereby the medical practitioner makes a judgement that the patient is exhibiting abnormal behavior based on the DSM-5 criteria.[6] Thus, simply because a behavior is unusual it does not make it abnormal; it is only considered abnormal if it meets these criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, is used by both researchers and clinicians in diagnosing a potential mental disorder. The criteria needed to be met in the DSM-5 varies for each mental disorder.[7]

Unlike physical abnormalities in ones health whose symptoms are objective, psychology health professionals cannot use objective symptoms when evaluating someone for abnormalities in behaviour.[8]

Several conventional criteria[edit]

There are five main criteria of abnormality. They are:

  1. Statistical Criterion
  2. Social Criterion
  3. Personal Discomfort (Distress)
  4. Maladaptive Behavior
  5. Deviation from Ideal


The following Criteria are subjective:

  • Maladaptive and Malfunctional behaviors. Behaviors, which due to circumstance, are not fully adapted to the environment. Instead, they become malfunctional and detrimental to the individual, or others. For example, a mouse continuing to attempt to escape when escape is obviously impossible.[10]
  • Behavior that violates the standards of society.[8] When people do not follow the conventional social and moral rules of their society, the behavior is considered to be abnormal. (See Deviation from Social Norms)
  • Observer discomfort.[11] If a person's behavior brings discomfort to those in observation, it is likely to be considered abnormal.

The standard criteria in psychology and psychiatry is that of mental illness or mental disorder. Determination of abnormality in behavior is based upon medical diagnosis.

Other Criteria

  • Statistical Infrequency: Statistically rare behaviors are called abnormal. Though not always the case, the presence of abnormal behavior in people are usually rare or statistically unusual. Any specific abnormal behavior may be unusual, but it is not uncommon for people to exhibit some form of prolonged abnormal behavior at some point in their lives.[12]
  • Deviation from Social Norms: Behavior that is deviant from social norms is defined as the departure or deviation of an individual from society's unwritten rules (norms). For example, if one was to witness a man jumping around, nude, on the streets, the man would likely be perceived as abnormal to most people, as he has broken society's norms about wearing clothing. There are also a number of criteria for one to examine before reaching a judgment as to whether someone has deviated from society's norms. The first of these criterion being culture; what may be seen as normal in one culture, may be seen as abnormal in another. The second criterion being the situation & context one is placed in; for example, going to the toilet is a normal human act, but going in the middle of a supermarket would be most likely seen as highly abnormal, i.e., defecating or urinating in public is illegal as a misdemeanor act of indecent public conduct. The third criterion is age; a child at the age of three could get away with taking off clothing in public, but not a man at the age of twenty. The fourth criterion is gender: a male responding with behavior normally reacted to as female, and vice versa, is often likely to be seen as abnormal or deviant from social norms. The fifth criterion is historical context; standards of normal behavior change in some societies, sometimes very rapidly.


  • The individual is engaging in behavior that is statistically infrequent.


See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ Psychology: Core Concepts, n.d.
  7. ^ "About DSM-5 and Development". www.psychiatry.org. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  11. ^ David Rosenhan & Martin Seligman (1984) Abnormal Psychology
  14. ^ "Complicated Grief Needs Specific Treatment".
  15. ^ "How prevalent is mental illness in the USA".