3.1 typical and atypical behaviour

• typical behaviour is defined as the behaviour of majority of people or the behaviour that is consistent with the way an individual normally behaves
• and example of typical behaviour is waving your arms int he air and singing loud at a music festival
• atypical behaviour can be defined as the behaviour that isn't like the majority of people or is inconsistent with the way an individual normally behaves
• an example of atypical behaviour is waving your arms and singing loudly in a supermarket
• what is considered typical or atypical behaviour varies between cultures, over time and depending on the situation or context of circumstance.
• psychological criteria is used to categorise behaviour as either typical or atypical
• psychological criteria to categorise behaviour:

  • cultural perspectives
  • social norms
  • statistical rarity
  • personal distress
  • maladaptive behaviour
• each psychological criteria has limitations and should not be used in isolation
• cultural perspectives refer to the functioning or coping appropriately in a particular society.
• cultural perspectives limitations

  • many different cultures having different acceptable behaviours
• social norms refer to obeying popular or common standards in a particular social situation
• social norm limitations

  • people may defy social norms as abnormal if the context is not considered
• statistical rarity refers to fitting in with the most commonly occurring characteristic or behaviour that is accepted in society
• statistical rarity limitations:

  • some behaviours are accepted, but are also classified as abnormal or undesirable
• personal distress refers to experiencing a level of distress that doesn't prevent usual activity
• personal distress limitations:

  • subjectively measured - a lack of behaviour may cause distress results in boredom
• maladaptive behaviours refers to the behaviours that stop a person from functioning in their day-to-day life.
• maladaptive behaviours limit ones abilities to adjust to changing circumstance
• maladaptive behaviours can be confused with bad or wrong behaviours
• maladaptive behaviours can assist in identifying problems such as mental disorders