Abnormality 1 Deviation From Social Noms

Question 1

AO1 of deviation from social norms with example

Answer 1

-Standards of acceptable behaviour are set by a social group I.e social norms (1)
-Anything that deviates from acceptable behaviour is considered abnormal as behaviour is unexpected by other groups or causes offence to society (2)
- e.g in ocd some individuals may refuse to use cutlery at restaurants choosing instead to bring their own due to fear of contamination. Therefore would be unexpected way of b in society would be seen as abnormal

Question 2

AO3 weakness

Answer 2

P- one w of DSN as a def for abnormality is social norms are created within a culture.
E- argued that DSN is limited by culture relativism.
E- diff culture diff social norms nd expectations of b e.g in a western culture receiving mess from spirit seen as symptom of schizophrenia b is unexpected western culture whereas in non-w signs could be classed as spiritual gift.
L- therefore not appropriate to use DSN to define abnormality outside of a specific culture.

Question 3

AO3 strenght

Answer 3

P- strenght of DSN real life application in the diagnosis of APD
E- mental health practitioners can look at what is acceptable in society and use those cultural and social norms to diagnose abnormal behaviour.
E- e.g individual who engages in truant b lack of remorse is deviating from social n and this b is unexpected in society. B can be used by practitioners to judge weather individual is displaying abnormal b and therefore diagnosed with APD
L- therefore DSN is useful definition when differentiating between normal and abnormal b

Question 4

Extra A

Answer 4

However even in this case there are other factors to consider for example wether or not the individual is able to function adequately as apd can cause distress to other ppl therefore DSN cannot be used as a sole explanation for hen defining abnormality