definition of abnormality: deviation from social norms

Question 1

Deviation of Social Norms (A01)

Answer 1

norms are unwritten rules created by society to guide behaviour
tell us what behaviours are accpetable and provide us with sense of order in society
learned through socialisation, pick them up from others around us during childhood

travel cause us to encounter and have to adjust to the norms of other societies e.g. france allowing children to have a little wine with their dinner. in this country seen as not normal
there are norms for all kinds of social behaviour
e.g age based norms e.g normal for children to experience traumas, not normal for adults
e.g gender based norms e.g reflect what is acceptable in clothing, professions

mental disorders are seen to be abnormal as violate social norms e.g schizophrenia
have difficulty controlling their emotions e.g might laugh at a funeral

Question 2

strength of deviation from social norms

Answer 2

breaking norms can lead to positive change in society
e.g slavery used to been considered normal in society
when some members of this social group broke norms and opposed slavery resulted in slavery being banned
other examples include gay rights/civil partnership and voting rights for women

Question 3

weakness of deviation from social norms

Answer 3

no clear ditinction between what is abnomral deviation from a social norm
context of behaviour
e.g seen as normal to be in costume in pool/beach but abnormal to be seen in costume walking in supermarket
degree of behaviour
e.g being rude is seen as deviant, but to what degree would it be seen as abnormal