Which of the following best explains why the value of psychological theories of deviance is considered limited?

• A. They often overlook the influence of social and cultural factors on behavior.
• B. They are universally accepted as the most accurate models for diagnosing disorders.
• C. They provide a comprehensive explanation for all types of deviant behavior.
• D. They focus exclusively on biological causes of deviance.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of psychological theories of deviance, which attempt to explain why individuals engage in behaviors that violate social norms or expectations.
2. Step 2: Recognize that these theories often focus on individual-level factors such as personality traits, mental health issues, or cognitive processes to explain deviant behavior.
3. Step 3: Consider the role of social and cultural factors, such as societal norms, cultural values, and social environment, which also significantly influence behavior but may be underemphasized in psychological theories.
4. Step 4: Analyze why overlooking social and cultural influences limits the explanatory power of psychological theories, as deviance is often shaped by the interaction between individual and contextual factors.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the value of psychological theories of deviance is limited because they often do not fully incorporate the broader social and cultural context that affects behavior.