Name: Jeremy M.

Esquita Date: September 14, 2022

Course: AB- Psychology Year: 3rd Year

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify the 4 D's of abnormality. Briefly define each, and then provide a concrete example for
each. (12 points)

2. Explain how abnormality was viewed and treated in the past. (8 points)

ANSWERS:
1.)
a.) DEVIANCE- The first criterion of abnormality, this refers to behaviors that are
“different” and “unusual” that is considered or labeled as “weird/strange” within or
to other society. Which is subdivided/elaborated into 2 parts:

a1.) Cultural Norms- This refers to behaviors which are “socially” acceptable/normal
within their society, but not socially acceptable to the other.

Example: One perfect example is the “acceptance” of using marijuana in some western
countries, while some western and asian countries viewed it as a “threat” for it greatly
affects or harms one’s health.

a2.) Statistical Norms - This refers to behaviors that are considered to be “unusual” or
“weird” “within” the society

Example: One perfect example that falls under this category, are illegal acts such as
“human trafficking”

b.) DYSFUNCTION- The second criterion of abnormality, this refers to the

“breakdown” (cognitive, emotional or behavioral), which greatly causes the
“inability” to perform the daily activities/functioning of an individual.

Example: A true to life experience, in which during the pandemic I experienced a

“mental breakdown”, which triggered my depression and gravely affects my daily
activities such as my performance in academics, I also withdrawn myself from
 communicating with my loved ones and I tend to feel “spaced out” when somebody is
talking as if both my presence and mind is not there at the same time.

c.) DISTRESS- The third criterion of abnormality, refers to the “unpleasant” behavior
or feeling of an individual, that causes him/her to feel distress in some way or another
(anxiety or any forms that causes them to become emotionally upset).

Example: A perfect scenario example would be, when Lawlet felt the tremendous
earthquake within his locality, which caused him to feel “emotionally distress”, due to the
surroundings (severe panic and infrastructures are tearing apart). Due to that horrible
experience he had, he developed “distressing effects” such as difficulty in sleeping, feels
agitated when he hears a lot of noise, and feels nervous all the time.

d.) DANGER- The fourth criterion of abnormality, as the name itself implies that, it is an
act of harming or inflicting oneself or others is considered to be “abnormal”.

Example: Committing suicide or attacking or inflicting pain in a “aggresive” way to

oneself or to others (harming oneself with a knife, chasing or trying to kill a person
without any clear reason at all.)

2.) During the past, “abnormality” is viewed in a more “supernatural” sense in which they
often viewed or labeled it as a “curse” or rather a “possession” of a supernatural entity
(ghosts, demons etc.). In which in order to combat this so called “greater evil” that is
rising during those times, they often do holistic rituals like “exorcism”, which is still
evident mostly on movies, or they consult those individuals who are practicing
“witchcraft” and “sorcery” are the ones who can solve/cure can cure these
“abnormalities”. Also it is also considered as a craft of “witchery” and “sorcery” the
Church combated it by hunting/purging this so called “witches” and burning their bodies
to drive out the devil that possessed them which is “Satan”.