Defining and classifying abnormal behavior across age, culture, and context

Age and Normal/Abnormal Behavior

When defining and classifying what is normal and abnormal behavior, age itself can become challenge and make it difficult to come up with a proper classification. Many aspects of the definition of age itself, makes it nearly impossible to assign its very presence to normality. Who is it the makes the rules and guidelines to determine what is appropriate behavior given a certain age? Does one expectation from one person at a certain age guarantee that it will be applicable to other individuals at that age within a social and cultural construct? Age is a factor that influences the definition of normal and abnormal behavior, but it is also one that makes it the most difficult to analyze.

Age makes it challenging when classifying what is normal and abnormal behavior on both sides of the spectrum, both when individuals are young, and when they are elderly (Link et al., 2004). Focusing on the youngest side of the spectrum, it is difficult when trying to decide what is normal and abnormal behavior in children. Toddlers grow at such a rapid pace and all develop such varying characteristics, that trying to decide what is normal and what is abnormal is pretty difficult when trying to fit all children into just one category. A child who is acting out at age 2 or 3 might be classified as just having normal temper tantrums, but can also have an extreme diagnosis such as Bipolar Disorder (Kushnir & Sadeh, 2010). Children who defy orders are classified as acting out of the norm, abnormally, but is that not part of growing up, learning from one's actions what it right and what it wrong? Trying to define a normal range of behavior could also be difficult within that age, and without considering situational factors, such as home life, parental relationships, etc., that could affect the normality and abnormality in behavior in all children alike.

Trying to classify abnormal and normal behavior in teenagers must be one of the most difficult tasks at hand. Teenagers, just like children, end up with their personalities and trying to fit them under just one classifications is nearly impossible (Frick & Viding, 2009). Teenagers are naturally moody, aggressive, and defiant, but does that necessarily make their irrational behavior abnormal? The teenage years make it one of the most difficult times to diagnose an individual with a mental illness because their bodies and brains are changing at such a rapid pace, and they are experiencing emotions that within themselves are pretty typical of this time in the lifespan (Frick & Viding, 2009). Another influence that just like children, could affect a teenagers behavior are situational factors such as life at home, influence of family and friends, and even the influence of the media (Fomby et al., 2010). This in itself makes the factor of age one of the most difficult concepts in trying to define normality and abnormality in an individual.

Although age is a biological factor, one that makes the body and the brain either grow or shrink, it is also a cultural one. The roles that accompany age can be defined as one that relatively situational since it varies drastically from one culture to another. In some cultures, age is viewed as being accompanied by wisdom and in some cultures, a better connection with the spiritual world since they are at an age where they are so close to crossing over to the other side. As an individual gets into their elder years, they are regarded with much more respect because of possessing this "power" and knowledge (Link et al., 2004). Although this is something that is viewed as normal behavior in these cultures, this in another culture could be viewed as abnormal experiences for someone at an older age. This makes it difficult for professionals who try to classify older individuals with a mental illness or with some sort of psychopathological disorder, without first considering their cultural implications.