Definitions of Abnormality

Question 1

What are social norms?

Answer 1

Accepted standards of behaviour within a given culture.
They might be explicit (within the law) or implicit (frowned upon if not followed).

Question 2

Define deviation from social norms.

Answer 2

A behaviour is seen as abnormal if it violates the social norms about what is acceptable in a particular society.

Question 3

Strengths of deviation from social norms.

Answer 3

-Can be useful (e.g. in diagnosing anti-social behaviour)- the social norm of prosocial behaviour is necessary- society ordered and predictable
-Flexibility- dependent on age and situation
-Clarity- lived within a certain culture for a long time- will be aware of their norms

Question 4

Weaknesses of deviation from social norm

Answer 4

-Changes in legislation- social norms change with time- difficult to judge and lack of consensus between generations (e.g. homosexuality)
-Culturally relative- variation cross culturally means it is not clear what is considered normal in different cultures
-Not very objective i.e. how different is different enough to deviate
-Can be used as a form of social control

Question 5

Define statistical infrequency.

Answer 5

This is the idea that abnormality should be based on infrequency; if it occurs rarely then it is abnormal.