Behaviors may be classified as abnormal if they _____

• A. deviate significantly from societal norms and cause distress or impairment
• B. always result in positive outcomes for the individual
• C. are approved by mental health professionals
• D. are commonly observed in the general population

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of abnormal behavior in psychology, which often involves behaviors that deviate from what is considered typical or acceptable within a society.
2. Recognize that abnormal behaviors are not just unusual but also tend to cause distress or impairment to the individual or others around them.
3. Consider the role of societal norms, which are the unwritten rules about how to behave, and how significant deviation from these norms can be a criterion for labeling behavior as abnormal.
4. Evaluate the options by comparing them to the key criteria for abnormality: deviation from norms, distress, and impairment, rather than approval by professionals or frequency in the population.
5. Conclude that behaviors classified as abnormal are those that deviate significantly from societal norms and cause distress or impairment, as this aligns with the standard psychological definition.