Definition of abnormality - Deviation from Social Norms

Question 1

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 1

NOT statistical

People who behave differently to socially created norms are seen as abnormal

e.g Politeness is a social norm

-Rude people are considered deviant because it is hard for people to interact with them

Some social norms are just social rules, some are enforced by law

Question 2

Explain an example of deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Homosexuality was classed as abnormal and seen as a mental disorder in the past

-based on social deviation
-this was a judgement made by society at the time

Pedophilia is still classed as abnormal

-because it deviates from social norms of what is acceptable

Question 3

AO3 -

Related to context and degree

Answer 3

Context:

-A person wearing almost
nothing at a beach is
regarded as normal

-However, the same outfit
at a school would be seen
as abnormal

Degree:

-Shouting is a deviant
behaviour, but it is only
evidence of a disorder if it
is excessive, but that point
is ambiguous

Therefore, social deviance alone cannot offer a complete definition of abnormality

Question 4

AO3 -

Cultural relativism

Answer 4

Bound by culture

-DSM is based on social
norms in the West
-But yet still applied to
subcultures of people in
the West, like poorer
people and black people

HOWEVER, the latest DSM (DSM-V) acknowledges cultural relativism and adjusts the diagnosing symptoms accordingly