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Chapter 37: Problem 2

If abnormality is defined as behavior that causes personal discomfort or harms others, which of the following people is most likely to need treatment? a. An executive is afraid to accept a promotion because it would require moving from his groundfloor office to the top floor of a tall office building. b. A woman decides to quit her job and chooses to live on the street in order to live a "simpler life." c. A man believes that friendly spacemen visit his house every Thursday. d. A photographer lives with nineteen cats in a small apartment, lovingly caring for them.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The individual who fits the definition of abnormality best and is most likely to need treatment is the third one - the man who believes that friendly spacemen visit his house every Thursday. This is assuming that his belief is causing him personal discomfort or potentially harming others somehow. The amount of distress or harm that this belief is causing could deem treatment necessary.

Step by step solution

01

Identifying the executive's behavior

In the first option - an executive is afraid to accept a promotion because it would mean moving from his ground-floor office to the top floor of a tall building. While this fear may be causing personal discomfort it is not harming others as stated in the definition of abnormality.
02

Identifying the woman's behavior

The second option represents a woman who quits her job and chooses to live on the street in order to live a 'simpler life'. This choice might be unusual or unconventional, but it does not necessarily signify personal discomfort or harm to others.
03

Identifying the man's behavior

The third option details a man who believes space aliens visit his house every Thursday. If this belief is causing personal distress or is harming others, then it fits the definition of abnormality.
04

Identifying the photographer's behavior

Lastly, the fourth option describes a photographer who lives with nineteen cats in a small apartment. If this lifestyle is not causing discomfort to the person or causing harm to others (including the cats), then it would not be considered abnormal according to our definition.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Cheryl is painfully shy. According to the behavioral perspective, the best way to deal with her "abnormal" behavior is to a. Treat the underlying physical problem b. Use the principles of learning theory to modify her shy behavior c. Express a great deal of caring d. Uncover her negative past experiences through hypnosis

Which of the following is a strong argument against the medical perspective on abnormality? a. Physiological abnormalities are almost always impossible to identify. b. There is no conclusive way to link past experience and behavior. c. The medical perspective rests too heavily on the effects of nutrition. d. Assigning behavior to a physical problem takes responsibility away from the individual for changing his or her behavior.

One problem in defining abnormal behavior is that a. Statistically rare behavior may not be abnormal. b. Not all abnormalities are accompanied by feelings of discomfort. c. Cultural standards are too general to use as a measuring tool. d. All of the above.
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