An act may be regarded normal or abnormal due to various reasons that can be based on cultural beliefs, biological knowledge and what is accepted to be normal by the society. Abnormal behavior is usually unique but defies what is acceptable by the laws or requirements. There are several theories that tend to determine the causes of abnormal behaviors of an individual. With theories relation in their description of causes being based on their categories, for instance, biological theories that sort to identify the cause of abnormal behaviors or psychology observe the behaviors of the individuals through complex analysis of their brain composition to determine the cause of the behavior. The analysis is different from that used under psychological theories which view the causes as a result of psychological pressure or deficiencies that are caused by several issues, for instance, environmental effects that may lead to a person learning negative attitude or emotions that lead to acting abnormal (Hansell, & Damour, 2008).
The aim of this essay is to analyze two theories from each category and analyze the explanation behind a juvenile engaging in violence or being defiant which is an abnormal behavior. The first section describes the general views of the behavior of two theories followed by the analysis of each theory on the chosen abnormal behavior. The next section will compare and contrast the point of view from a sociocultural viewpoint thus determine the similarities and differences from the viewpoints. The final section discusses the benefits and drawbacks of applying multiple theories to define abnormal behavior.
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Neurotransmitter or Hormone Imbalance
According to this theory, behavior is caused by different neurobiological factors that determine the relationship between the reticular activating system and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Eysnec theory under this category calls for the extraversion and introversion scale and stable-neurotic scale as a reflection of specific differences in neurobiological structure. He claimed that extraversion-introversion scale is dependent on either low or high cortical arousal (Feist, & Feist, 2009). A low cortical arousal is evident in an extrovert individual hence the person seeks stimulation. An introvert, on the other hand, has a high cortical arousal thus prefers a low level of stimulation. The theory concludes that an extrovert is more likely to engage in criminal behavior or abnormal behavior as it is risky and more stimulating compared to an introvert who is more risk averse in the bid to reduce stimulation.
Cognitive-behavioral Perspective
The theory is a psychological theory, claims that an individual’s thoughts are responsible for their behavior. The model is based on the assumption that information is processed in the brain and impact the behavior of the individual. The theory is based on several assumptions that include, maladaptive behavior is caused by irrational and faulty cognitions and the reasoning about a problem rather than the problem itself lead to one’s reaction (McLeod, 2014). The ability to view a problem or an event is the reason behind one’s decision-making and behaviors.
Explanation of Juvenile Violence or Fighting according to the Theories
According to neurobiology theory proposed by Eysnec, a juvenile who is extravert is more likely to engage in violence or fighting compared to an introvert juvenile. The juvenile engages in violence as a way to seek excitement by risking his life and disobeying the law that is against violence. The risk involved leads to stimulating arousal of the cortical leading to a balanced scale of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. An introvert individual due to the risks involved by engaging in violence is bound to avoid confrontation and violence thus reduce the chances of stimulating cortical arousal as they already have an amplified cortical arousal.
According to Cognitive-behavioral perspective, a juvenile with faulty and irrational cognition is more likely to engage in violence compared to a rational thinker. The irrational cognition will make the juvenile believe that the only way to solve a conflict is by fighting hence as the theory states the thinking will transform to a reaction or behavior he is bound to engage in violence and fighting. The juvenile with a rational cognition is likely to think of the different ways to solve a conflict rather than fighting ad weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding which reduces his/her chances of resulting in violence or fighting.
Sociocultural Viewpoint on the point of view above
In a society where violence is high and mostly used to solve conflict most of the people will result in violence due to their extrovert need to stimulate cortical arousal due to the risks involved. The juvenile will be used to the violence as the only solution rather than think so more likely to result in violence (Hansell, & Damour, 2008).
Similarities and Differences of the Interpretation
Both theories portray deficiencies and need of reaction that is in neurotransmitter theory explanation the extrovert juvenile engages in violence as he has low cortical arousal that needs stimulation. In the cognitive-behavioral perspective, the juvenile lacks rationality hence his engagement in violence.
The main difference is the biological and psychological reasons given under each theory. They have many similarities for instance when extrovert individuals are reviewed in a psychological context, they are risk takers, seek excitement and are action oriented which could lead to poor or irrational cognition hence result to violence as it is risky (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). The vice versa is also correct, that is, when cognitive-behavioral perspective is explained under the neurobiological context.
Benefits and drawbacks of applying multiple theories to defining abnormal behavior
The main benefit is that using different theories enables us to understand the different assumptions and definition of the abnormal behavior. The different assumptions enable us to weigh on which approach is more appropriate in a given situation. The main drawback is their similarities that only portray a single explanation in a different manner.
References
Feist, J., & Feist, G. (2009) Theories of Personality (7th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill
Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal Psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
McLeod, S. A. (2014). Retrieved December 12, 2016, www.simplypsychology.org/abnormal-psychology.html
