It has been said that not all deviant behavior is maladaptive, but all maladaptive behavior is deviant. Discuss this idea, based on what you've learned about the definition and criteria of abnormal behavior

What will be an ideal response?

Good answers should reflect an understanding of the various ways of defining and characterizing abnormal behavior. A deviant behavior is one that deviates from the norm and is considered inappropriate in one's society. Most students can come up with several examples of such behavior that may, nevertheless, be adaptive in certain circumstances. Such deviant behavior is not maladaptive. On the other hand, behavior is maladaptive when it interferes with one's functioning in one or more of the various arenas of life (social, occupational, etc.). Most societies have evolved in such a way that these kinds of behaviors are both uncommon and considered inappropriate, thus deviant. There may be exceptions here, too, however.