Question

What are the causes of abnormal behaviour?

Answer 1

There are different perspectives of causes of abnormal behaviour such as -

1. Biological perspective - Focuses on biological factors as the cause of abnormal behaviour. It is treated as an 'illness' and cured through 'treatments' such as drugs, etc. instead of psychological interventions.
2. Evolutionary perspectives - It suggests that the brain evolved to solve problems encountered by our ancestors. Mental processes exist to serve the purposes of reproduction and survival. Hence, abnormal behaviour may be an exaggerated form of an adaptive reaction.
3. Behavioural perspective - Abnormal behaviour develops due to inappropriate learning or modelling. So therapy attempts to modify such behaviour using principles of learning reinforcement, etc.
4. Cognitive perspective - Recurrent, faulty thinking based on false assumptions leads to maladaptive behaviour. Therapy involves getting rid of inappropriate thinking.
5. Psycho-analytic perspective - It emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences. Psychological disorders are a result of unresolved conflicts or urge that are rooted in our primitive sexual and aggressive instincts.
6. Humanistic perspective - It explains that humans are driven to develop to their fullest possible potential. Hence, any barriers will result in adjustment problems.
7. Socio-cultural perspective - Societal expectations and cultural norms often lead to maladaptive behaviour for e.g., poor body image and eating disorders are often noticed in teenage girls as some cultures focus on a 'slim, feminine' shape.

Causes of abnormal behaviour can also be explained using two models:

1. Stress Diathesis model -
   
                                       Stress diathesis model
   Diathesis refers to a predisposition or vulnerability of a person to develop a particular disorder. According to the Stress-Diathesis model, a disorder results from genetic factors (nature) as well as life experiences (nurture). Those genetically predisposed towards a particular disorder and experiencing environmental stress are more likely to show abnormal behaviour.
2. Biopsychosocial model - The Biopsychosocial refers to the interaction of biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors in the development of abnormal behaviour. If a child is brought up in inconducive environmental conditions, it will make him/her vulnerable to abnormal behaviour.