Definitions of abnormality-Deviation from social norms

Question 1

2.Deviation from social norms

Answer 1

• concerns behaviour that is diff from accepted standard of behaviour in society
  ppl who deviate from societal expectations classified as abnormal
  norms are specific to culture we live in a

E.g. antisocial personality disorder(psychopathy) is impulsive, aggressive
Psychologists make social judgements that psychopaths are abnormal because don’t conform to moral standards of society

Question 2

A03

Deviation from social norms (Real world Application)

strength

Answer 2

• USEFUL IN CLINIC PRACTICIES
  e.G characteristics of antisocial behaviour-recklessness ,aggression- symptoms of deviating from social norms -value in psychiatry
• Protects society-This definition looks at an individual’s abnormal behaviour & seeks to protect society from it

Question 3

A03

Deviation from social norms (Lacks CULTURAL & SITUATIONAL REALISM)

Limitation

Answer 3

> difficult to judge deviation from social norms across cultures
person from one cultural group may label somone as abnormal using their percieved standards rather than individuals standards
e.g hearing voices in some culture seen as normal, but abnormal in UK
Lacks cultural & situational realism