Abnormal behavior was once seen as an embarrassment to society. Those who suffered from mental illnesses or exhibited abnormal behavior were locked up and never spoken of. Today, anomalous behavior is viewed very differently. With the study of psychology and the help of the medical field, abnormal behavior has become better understood. This essay will discuss the major theories about the causes of abnormal behavior, how abnormal behavior is diagnosed, and what kind of behavioral problems are related to abnormal behavior. Abnormal behavior is defined as a psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and response that is not typical or culturally expected (Durand, 2005). There are currently six influential theoretical perspectives. The first is the biological perspective. The biological perspective is a medical point of view. It is a theory that believes that lack or defects in the structural or functional integrity of the nervous system lead to abnormal behavior. It tries to explain the individual's behavior in terms of biological principles such as structural problems, diseases and genetics. The brain plays an important role in the functioning of a body. Abnormalities in the brain can cause abnormal behavior. Sometimes the abnormalities are inherited genetically. Each cell in the human body and human brain contains twenty-three pairs of chromosomes. Each chromosome consists of a pair inherited from one of the individual's parents. Each chromosome contains many genes. A gene is a tiny structure within the chromosome responsible for transferring inheritance. Genes can make people more prone to certain defects and diseases. Genes can make people... middle of paper... Should anyone feel like hiding just because they can't sleep at night? Works Cited Cori, Jasmin Lee (2008) Healing from Trauma: A Survivor's Guide to Understanding Your Symptoms and Reclaiming Your Life Da Capo Press. Durand, V.M., & Barlow, D.H., (2005). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach (4th ed.). Belmont, California: Wadsworth. Miklowitz, D. J. (2002). The Survival Guide to Bipolar Disorder. New York: Guilford Press. Sarason & Sarason, (2005). Abnormal psychology, the problem of maladaptive behavior (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice HallSmith, M. (2010) “Feeding and Eating Disorders in Childhood.” International Journal of Eating Disorders (2010): NA. DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association. Network. December 7, 2014.Kaplan and Sadock. (2007) "Synopsis of Psychiatry". 10th ed. India (Delhi): Oxford University Press.