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HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND VICTIMOLOGY
Week: 2
Topic: Abnormal Behavior
Learning Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:
1. Understand the concept of human development, abnormal, and criminal behaviors.
2. Compare criminal behavior from abnormal behavior.

I. LESSON: DISCUSSION

What is Abnormal Behavior?

Abnormal Behavior is something deviating from the normal or differing from the typical, is a subjectively defined
behavioral characteristics, assigned to those with rear or dysfunctional conditions. It maybe abnormal when it is
unusual, socially unacceptable, self-defeating, dangerous, or suggestive of faulty interpretation of reality or of
personal distress.

Abnormal Behavior is behavior that is deviant, maladaptive or personally distressful over a long period of time.
The American Psychiatric Association defines abnormal behavior in medical terms as a mental illness that
affects or is manifested in a person’s brain and can affect the way a person think, behaves and interacts with
people.

What is Psychopathology?
Psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders, including the efforts to understand their genetic,
biological, psychological and social causes, effective classification schemes (nosology), course across all the
stages of development, manifestations and treatment. It is also defined as the origin of mental disorders, how they
develop and the symptoms they might produce in a person.

The Four Ds. A description of the four Ds when defining abnormality.

1. Deviance. This term describes the idea that specific thoughts, behaviors and emotions are considered
deviant when they are unacceptable or not common in society. Clinicians must, however, remember that
minority groups are not always deemed deviant just because they may not have anything in common with
other groups. Therefore, we define an individual’s action as deviant or abnormal when his or her behavior
is deemed unacceptable by the culture he or she belongs.
2. Distress. This term accounts for negative feelings by the individual with the disorder. He or she may feel
deeply troubled and affected by their illness.
3. Dysfunction. This term involves maladaptive behavior that impairs the individual’s ability to perform
daily functions, such as getting ready for work in the morning or driving a car. Such maladaptive
behaviors prevent the individual from living a normal, healthy lifestyle. However, dysfunctional behavior
is not always caused by a disorder, it may be voluntary, such as engaging in a hunger strike.
4. Danger. This term involves dangerous or violent behavior directed at the individual, or others in the
environment. An example of dangerous behavior that may suggest a psychological disorder is engaging in
suicidal activity.

Models of Abnormality
1. Behavioral. Behaviorists believe that our actions are determined largely by experiences we have in
life, rather than by underlying pathology of unconscious forces. Abnormality is therefore seen as the
development of behavior patterns that are considered maladaptive (i.e. harmful) for the individual.
Behaviorism states that all behavior (including abnormal is learned from the environment (nurture)
and that all behavior that has been learnt can also be ‘unlearnt’ (which is how abnormal behavior is
treated). The emphasis of the behavioral approach is on the environment and how abnormal behavior
is required, through classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning.
 Classical conditioning has been said to account for the development of phobias. The feared object
(e.g. spider or rat) is associated with a fear or anxiety sometime in the past. The conditioned stimulus
subsequently evokes a powerful fear response characterized by avoidance of the feared object and the
emotion of fear whenever the object is encountered. Learning environment can reinforce (re:operant
conditioning) problematic behaviors. Example, an individual maybe rewarded for being having panic
attacks by receiving attention from family and friends – this would lead to the behavior being
reinforced and increasing in later life. Our society can also provide deviant maladaptive models that
children identify with and imitate.
2. Cognitive. The cognitive approach assumes that a person’s thoughts are responsible for their
behavior. The model deals with how information is processed in the brain and the impact of this
behavior. The basic assumptions are:
 Maladaptive behavior is caused by faulty and irrational cognitions.
 It is the way you think about a problem, rather than the problem itself that causes mental
disorders.
 Individuals can overcome mental disorders by learning to use more appropriate cognitions.
 The individual is an active processor of information. How a person, perceives, anticipates and
evaluate events rather than the events themselves, which will have an impact on behavior.
This is generally believed to be an automatic process, in other words we do not really think
about it
3. Medical / Biological. The medical model of psychopathology believes that disorders have an organic
or physical cause. The focus of this approach is on genetics, neurotransmitters, neurophysiology,
neuroanatomy, biochemistry etc. For example, in terms of biochemistry — the dopamine hypothesis
argues that elevated levels of dopamine are related to symptoms of schizophrenia. The approach
argues that mental disorders are related to the physical structure and functioning of the brain. For
example, differences in brain structure (abnormalities in the frontal and pre-frontal cortex, enlarged
ventricles) have been identified in people with schizophrenia.
4. Psychodynamic. The main assumptions include Freud's belief that abnormality came from the
psychological causes rather than the physical causes that unresolved conflicts between the id, ego and
superego can all contribute to abnormality, for example:
 Weak Ego. Well- adjusted people have a strong ego that is able to cope with the demands of both
the id and the superego by allowing each to express itself at appropriate times. If, however, the
ego is weakened, then either the id or the superego, whichever is stronger, may dominate the
personality.
 Unchecked Id Impulses. If id impulses are unchecked they may be expressed in self-destructive
and immoral behavior. This may lead to disorders such as conduct disorders in childhood and
psychopathic [dangerously abnormal] behavior in adulthood.
 Too Powerful Superego. A superego that is too powerful, and therefore too harsh and inflexible
in its moral values, will restrict the id to such an extent that the person will be deprived of even
socially acceptable pleasures. According to Freud this would create neurosis, which could be
expressed in the symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as phobias and obsessions.
Freud also believed that early childhood experiences and unconscious motivation were
responsible for disorders.

Identification of Abnormal Behavior

Abnormal Behavior could be recognized through any of the following:
1. Deviation from Statistical Norm. The word abnormal means 'away from the norm'. Many population
facts are measured such as height, weight and intelligence. Most of the people fall within the middle
range of intelligence, but a few are abnormally stupid. But according to this definition, a person who is
extremely intelligent should be classified as abnormal. Examples are:
 Intelligence. It is statistically abnormal for a person to get a score about 145 on an IQ test or to
get a score below 55, but only the lowest score is considered abnormal.
 Anxiety. A person who is anxious all the time or has a high level of anxiety and someone who
almost never feels anxiety are all considered to be abnormal.
 2. Deviation from Social Norm. Every culture has certain standards for acceptable behavior, behavior that
deviates from that standard is considered to be abnormal behavior. But those standards can change with
time and vary from one society to another.
3. Maladaptive Behavior. This third criterion is how the behavior affects the well-being of the individual
and/or social group. A man who attempts suicide or a paranoid individual who tries to assassinate
national leaders are illustrations under this criterion. The two aspects of maladaptive behavior are:
 Maladaptive to One's self . It refers to the inability of a person to reach goals or to adapt the
demands of life.
 Maladaptive to Society. It refers to a person's obstruction or disruption to social group
functioning.
4. Personal Distress. The fourth criterion considers abnormality in terms of the individual's subjective
feelings, personal distress, rather than his behavior. Most people commonly diagnosed as 'mentally ill’
feel miserable , anxious, depressed and may suffer from insomnia.
5. Failure to Function Adequately. Under this definition, a person is considered abnormal if they are
unable to cope with the demands of everyday life. They may be unable to perform the behaviors
necessary for day-to-day living e.g. self-care, hold down a job, interact meaningfully with others, make
themselves understood etc.
The following are characteristics that define failure to function adequately:
 suffering
 maladaptiveness (danger to self)
 vividness and unconventionality (stands out)
 unpredictably and loss of control
 irrationality/incomprehensibility
 causes observer discomfort, and
 violates moral/social standards
6. Deviation from Ideal Mental Health. Under this definition, rather than defining what is abnormal, we
define what normal/ideal is and anything that deviates from this is regarded as abnormal. This requires us
to decide on the characteristics we consider necessary to mental health. The six criteria by which mental
health could be measured are as follows:
 positive view of the self
 capability for growth and development
 autonomy and independence
 accurate perception of reality
 positive friendships and relationships, and
 environmental mastery (able to meet the varying demands of day-to-day situations).
According to this approach, the more of these criteria are satisfied, the healthier the individual
is.

Symptoms of Abnormal Behavior

1. Long Periods of Discomfort. This could be anything as simple as worrying about a calculus test or
grieving the death of a loved one. This distress is related to a real related or threatened event and passes
with time. When such distress feelings, however, persist for an extended period of time and seem to be
unrelated to events surrounding the person, they would be considered abnormal and could suggest a
psychological disorder.
2. Impaired Functioning. Here, a distinction must be made between simply a passing period of
inefficiency and prolonged inefficiency which seems unexplainable. For instance, a very brilliant person
consistently fails in his classes or someone who constantly changes his jobs for no apparent reason.
3. Bizarre Behavior. Bizarre behavior that has no rational basis seems to indicate that the individual is
confused. The psychoses frequently result in hallucinations (baseless sensory perceptions) or delusions
(beliefs which are patently false yet held as true by the individual)
4. Disruptive Behavior. Disruptive behavior means impulsive, apparently uncontrollable behavior that
disrupts the lives of others or deprives them of their human rights on a regular basis. This type of
behavior is characteristic of a severe psychological disorder. An example of this is the antisocial
personality disorder.
II. A. REFERENCE
 Revisa, William A. & Pioquinto, Paulino V. (2020) Human Behavior and Victimology, Quezon
City: Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.
 Penetrante, Marylendra A. & Florendo, Adelene Maghinay. (2014) Understanding Human Behavior
and Crisis Management, Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.
B. SUGGESTED READING
 The Psychology of Abnormal Behavior (n.d.) Retrieved from https://bit.ly/32M2jik on July 23, 2020.

III. REQUIREMENTS
Activity 1. Multiple Choice. Elect the letter that correspond to the correct answer.
1. Mr. B helped the old lady to cross the street while Mr. A is laughing while watching them. What does
Mr. A manifests?
a. He manifested an abnormal behavior c. He manifested an avoidant behavior
b. He manifested a psychopathic behavior d. He manifested a comedian attitude
2. Avoidance and withdrawal are example of .
a. Personal Distress c. Deviation from statistical norms
b. Maladaptive behavior d. Deviation from social norms
3. Feeling of sadness, low performance in academics is a .
a. Personal Distress c. Deviation from statistical norms
b. Maladaptive behavior d. Deviation from social norms
4. Entering and leaving a room repeatedly without authorization is a .
a. Personal Distress c. Deviation from statistical norms
b. Maladaptive behavior d. Deviation from social norms
5. It assumes that person’s thoughts are responsible for their abnormal behavior.
a. Psychodynamic Model c. Behavioral Model
b. Cognitive Model d. Medical/biological Model
6. Weak ego, unchecked id impulses, too powerful superego are contributory factors of abnormality.
a. Psychodynamic Model c. Behavioral Model
b. Cognitive Model d. Medical/biological Model
7. The causes of abnormality is on genetics, neurotransmitters, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and
biochemistry.
a. Psychodynamic Model c. Behavioral Model
b. Cognitive Model d. Medical/biological Model
8. It state that abnormal behavior is learned from the environment.
a. Psychodynamic Model c. Behavioral Model
b. Cognitive Model d. Medical/biological Model

Activity 2. Essay.
1. Have you ever observed one of your love ones showing symptoms of abnormal behavior? How do you
extend help to him or her?

Activity 3. Self-Assessment
Answer the given Beck’s Depression Inventory to assess you on Abnormal Behavior. Compute for your total
score using the scoring scale given at the bottom of the questionnaire. Give the result to your instructor.
1.
0 I do not feel sad.
1 I feel sad
2 I am sad all the time and I can't snap out of it.
3 I am so sad and unhappy that I can't stand it.
2.
0 I am not particularly discouraged about the future.
1 I feel discouraged about the future.
2 I feel I have nothing to look forward to.
3 I feel the future is hopeless and that things cannot improve.
3.
0 I do not feel like a failure.
1 I feel I have failed more than the average person.
2 As I look back on my life, all I can see is a lot of
failures. 3 I feel I am a complete failure as a person.
4.
0 I get as much satisfaction out of things as I used to.
1 I don't enjoy things the way I used to.
2 I don't get real satisfaction out of anything anymore.
3 I am dissatisfied or bored with everything.
5.
0 I don't feel particularly guilty
1 I feel guilty a good part of the
time. 2 I feel quite guilty most of the
time. 3 I feel guilty all of the time.
6.
0 I don't feel I am being punished.
1 I feel I may be punished.
2 I expect to be punished.
3 I feel I am being punished.
7.
0 I don't feel disappointed in myself.
1 I am disappointed in myself.
2 I am disgusted with myself.
3 I hate myself.
8.
0 I don't feel I am any worse than anybody else.
1 I am critical of myself for my weaknesses or
mistakes. 2 I blame myself all the time for my faults.
3 I blame myself for everything bad that happens.
9.
0 I don't have any thoughts of killing myself.
1 I have thoughts of killing myself, but I would not carry them
out. 2 I would like to kill myself.
3 I would kill myself if I had the chance.
10.
0 I don't cry any more than
usual. 1 I cry more now than I
used to. 2 I cry all the time now.
3 I used to be able to cry, but now I can't cry even though I want to.
11.
0 I am no more irritated by things than I ever was.
1 I am slightly more irritated now than usual.
2 I am quite annoyed or irritated a good deal of the time.
3 I feel irritated all the time.
12.
0 I have not lost interest in other people.
1 I am less interested in other people than I used to
be. 2 I have lost most of my interest in other people.
3 I have lost all of my interest in other people.
13.
0 I make decisions about as well as I ever could.
 1 I put off making decisions more than I used to.
2 I have greater difficulty in making decisions more than I used
to. 3 I can't make decisions at all anymore.
14.
0 I don't feel that I look any worse than I used to.
1 I am worried that I am looking old or unattractive.
2 I feel there are permanent changes in my appearance that make me
look unattractive
3 I believe that I look ugly.
15.
0 I can work about as well as before.
1 It takes an extra effort to get started at doing
something. 2 I have to push myself very hard to do
anything.
3 I can't do any work at all.
16.
0 I can sleep as well as usual.
1 I don't sleep as well as I used to.
2 I wake up 1-2 hours earlier than usual and find it hard to get back to
sleep. 3 I wake up several hours earlier than I used to and cannot get back to
sleep. 17.
0 I don't get more tired than usual.
1 I get tired more easily than I used to.
2 I get tired from doing almost
anything. 3 I am too tired to do
anything.
18.
0 My appetite is no worse than usual.
1 My appetite is not as good as it used to
be. 2 My appetite is much worse now.
3 I have no appetite at all anymore.
19.
0 I haven't lost much weight, if any, lately.
1 I have lost more than five pounds.
2 I have lost more than ten pounds.
3 I have lost more than fifteen pounds.
20.
0 I am no more worried about my health than usual.
1 I am worried about physical problems like aches, pains, upset stomach,
or constipation.
2 I am very worried about physical problems and it's hard to think of much else.
3 I am so worried about my physical problems that I cannot think of anything else.
21.
0 I have not noticed any recent change in my interest in sex.
1 I am less interested in sex than I used to be.
2 I have almost no interest in sex.
3 I have lost interest in sex completely.

INTERPRETING THE BECK DEPRESSION INVENTORY

Now that you have completed the questionnaire, add up the score for each of the twenty-one questions by
counting the number to the right of each question you marked. The highest possible total for the whole test
would be sixty-three. This would mean you circled number three on all twenty-one questions. Since the
lowest possible score for each question is zero, the lowest possible score for the test would be zero. This
would mean you circles zero on each question. You can evaluate your depression according to the Table
below.

Total Score Levels of Depression

1-10 These ups and downs are considered
normal 11-16 Mild mood disturbance
17-20 Borderline clinical
depression 21-30 Moderate depression
31-40 Severe depression
over 40 Extreme depression