Final answer:
The criteria for defining psychological disorder include deviation from social norms, impairment in functioning, and distress. Only one of these criteria can be enough for a disorder to be recognized.
Step-by-step explanation:
The criteria for defining a psychological disorder are typically based on three main factors:
- Deviation from social norms: This criterion considers whether the individual's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors significantly deviate from what is considered normal or acceptable within their society or cultural context. For example, if someone's thoughts are dominated by obsessions and compulsions that interfere with their daily life, they may meet the criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Impairment in functioning: This criterion evaluates whether the disorder causes significant impairment in the individual's ability to function effectively in various areas of life, such as work, relationships, or self-care. For instance, if someone experiences intense fear and avoids certain situations due to a specific phobia, it may significantly hinder their ability to engage in activities they would like to participate in.
- Distress: This criterion takes into account whether the individual experiences subjective distress or discomfort as a result of their symptoms. For instance, someone with generalized anxiety disorder may regularly experience excessive worry and tension that causes significant distress.
All three criteria don't necessarily have to be present in every psychological disorder, as there can be variations depending on the specific disorder and its severity. It is possible for a disorder to meet only one or two criteria while still being considered a psychological disorder. Therefore, the correct answer to your question is:
B) No, only one is enough