Final answer:
The four D's in psychology reference Dysfunction, Distress, Deviance, and Danger, as criteria to consider when defining abnormality. Not all instances of these elements indicate psychological abnormality, such as a sleep-deprived parent (Dysfunction), grieving a loss (Distress), expressing individuality (Deviance), or participating in extreme sports (Danger).
Step-by-step explanation:
The four D's typically refer to concepts in psychology and psychiatry for determining whether a behavior or symptom might be considered abnormal. These are Dysfunction, Distress, Deviance, and Danger.
Dysfunction
Dysfunction occurs when someone's behavior interferes with their daily functioning. An example of dysfunction not being abnormal is when a new parent loses sleep due to a crying baby at night. This is a temporary and expected part of parenting, not indicative of a psychological disorder.
Distress
Distress refers to unpleasant feelings or emotions that impact an individual's level of functioning. Feeling distressed after the death of a loved one is a normal part of the grieving process, and while intense, it is usually not abnormal unless it becomes prolonged and impairs functioning significantly over time.
Deviance
Deviance is an atypical behavior or thought that differs significantly from societal norms or values. A person may exhibit deviant behavior by dressing in a unique way that does not conform to social norms, but it does not necessarily mean it is abnormal, as it may be an expression of individuality and not harmful.
Danger
Danger involves dangerous or violent behavior that may pose a risk to the person or others. An example when such behavior is not considered abnormal is when a person engages in extreme sports; they are willingly accepting a level of risk for the thrill, which is not typically seen as a psychological issue.