CONCPETS OF
NORMAL AND
ABNORMAL
BEHAVIOR
MR. JAYESH PATIDAR
M.Sc. NURSING

CONCEPT…
• Psychiatry as evident from the above is
concerned with abnormal behavior in its
broadest sense, but defining the concepts of
normal & abnormal behavior as such has been
found to be difficult.
• These concepts are much under the influence of
socio-cultural factors.
• Several models have been put forward in order
to explain the concept of normal & abnormal
behavior 2

Medical Model…
• Medical model considers organic pathology as
the definite cause for mental disorder.
• According to this model abnormal people are
the ones who have disturbances in thought,
perception & psychomotor activities.
• These normal are the ones who are free from
these disturbances.
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Statistical Model…
• It involves the analysis of responses ona test or
questionnaire or observations of some
particular behavior variables.
• The degree of deviation from the standard
norms arrived at statistically, characterizes the
degree of abnormality.
• Statistically normal mental health falls within
two standard deviations (SDs) of the normal
distractions curve.
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Socio-cultural Model…
• The beliefs, norms, taboos & values of a society
have to be accepted & adopted by individuals.
• Breaking any of these would be considered as
abnormal.
• Normalcy is defined in context with social
norms prescribed by the culture.
• Thus cultural background has taken into account
when distinguishing between normal &
abnormal behavior.
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Behavioral Model…
• Behavior that is adaptive, is normal,
maladaptive is abnormal.
• Abnormal behavior is a set of faulty behavios
acquired through learning.
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