4 D's of Abnormality

How one can define abnormal behavior?

There are four criteria which have been proposed for the identification of abnormality, also known as 4 D’s. They are:

•          Deviant,
•          Dysfunction,
•          Distress, and
•          Danger.

1.    Deviant

Deviant means someone being extremely different, unusual and behaving in an eccentric manner. It can further be classified as:

·         Deviance from cultural norms

·         Deviance from statistical Norm

Deviance from cultural norms

Deviance from culture norms mean away from the normally accepted behaviors by a particular society. The behaviors which violates social norms or expectations might be considered as abnormal.

Social norms varies a lot across cultures and ethnic groups. A behavior which is acceptable or normal in one culture or in an ethnic group may be unaccepted or abnormal in another.

Example

The most recent example of deviance is homosexuality and homosexual marriages. They are culturally accepted in many western countries now. Although, they are culturally unacceptable and considered abnormal in Pakistan as well as in many Muslim countries.

Similarly, marrying in a young age i.e. age 16 or 18 is considered normal in a Pakistani society but it’s considered abnormal in western culture.

Deviance from statistical Norms

Deviance from the statistical norms means different from the majority. It means a behavior is abnormal if it occurs infrequently among the members of a society or culture.

Example

Example of deviance from statistical norms is, if a person starts telling jokes in a funeral ceremony will be considered abnormal because he is acting weird as compared to other members in that particular situation. Telling jokes in a funeral is an unacceptable behavior.

Some other examples of deviant behaviors which are considered abnormal in each and every culture are: suicidal bombing, terrorism, murder, robbery or any illegal act that disturbs the society.

2.    Dysfunction

Dysfunction means cognitive, emotional and behavioral breakdown. It’s an inability to perform daily functioning or everyday activities. In other words, a behavior is considered abnormal if it impairs functionality.

Example

In severe depression, a person feels so isolated and grieved that he withdraws himself from daily activities and stops communicating with his family and friends. Moreover, he doesn’t like to eat as well. He limits himself in his room. He continues to spend his days staring blankly at the television screen. This behavior considered to be maladaptive or abnormal.

In western cultures, many people drink alcohol, but when drinking interferes with social and/or professional life it can be considered maladaptive. As we all know the adverse effects of alcohol, when taken in huge amount, how it disrupts one’s thinking, emotions and behavior.

In above examples, these maladaptive behaviors could have adverse effects on the individual and/or on society. Therefore, they are considered as abnormal.

3.    Distress

Distress is when the individual showing any behavior is extremely upset. In other words, the abnormal behaviors are those that lead to personal distress, anxiety, insomnia, various pains and aches or emotional upset.

An Important fact is that it’s often quite normal to be distressed i.e. if someone close to us dies. We feel stress and become depress for some time. So, the human condition is such that suffering and distress are very much part of our life.

On the other hand, there are many disorders who doesn’t show any kind of distress and unhappiness, rather sufferers enjoy their manic state and feel elated during it. That’s why, defining abnormality by distress only doesn’t work. Although, it is an important concept in defining it.

Example

A young boy or girl is grieving over the loss of both parents in an airplane accident or an earthquake disaster as no one will support him/her now. The distressing effects such as endless crying, difficulty in sleeping, agitation, anxiety, loss of appetite or feelings of pain remain for so long that it becomes a psychological disorder and considered to be abnormal or maladaptive, which needs to be treated.

4.    Danger

Any individual imposing a risk of danger to oneself or the other is considered to be abnormal. In other words, dangerous or violent behaviors directed at oneself or others are abnormal.

Example

A person trying to commit suicide is deemed to be abnormal. Similarly, if an aggressive person tries to cut or harm himself with a knife or attack someone else with it is also considered to be abnormal.