Definitions of Abnormality: ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ Flashcards
outline deviation from social norms definition
The ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ (DS) definition defines someone as abnormal if they behave in a way that is seen as ‘unacceptable’ by the majority in society
‘Social norms’ are the accepted standards of behaviour in a society or community, according to the majority. In other words, they are the ways we are expected to behave by that society.
These accepted ways of behaving form the ‘rules’ of a society.
Sometimes these rules are written (explicit) and form laws that govern behaviour.
Sometimes though, these rules or norms of behaviour are unwritten (implicit) but generally accepted (e.g. not standing too close to people whilst talking to them).
Whether explicit or implicit, social norms allow for the regulation of normal social behaviour.
All societies have standards, or norms, for appropriate behaviours and beliefs (expectations about how people should behave as well as think).
This definition, therefore, suggests that abnormality can be seen as someone who breaks these ‘rules of society’.
In other words, someone who demonstrates social deviance is abnormal.
what is meant by social norms
‘Social norms’ are the accepted standards of behaviour in a society or community, according to the majority. In other words, they are the ways we are expected to behave by that society.
These accepted ways of behaving form the ‘rules’ of a society.
what are implicit rules
unwritten rules or norms but generally accepted
e.g. not standing too close to people whilst talking to them
what is meant by explicit rules
written rules that form laws that govern behaviour
eg, laws such as murder being illegal
Evaluation: DSN definition
- STRENGTHS
P: seen as a more appropriate definition of abnormality than the ‘Statistical Infrequency definition’
E: DS includes the issue of desirability of a behaviour, whereas SI does not
E: eg, a genius is statistically abnormal but most people wouldn’t regard such socially desirable traits as ‘abnormal’
L: DSN is more useful in defining abnormality compared to some other definitions
Evaluation: DSN definition
- LIMITATIONS
P: social norms change over time
E: behaviours that are seen as acceptable today might change in the future
E: eg, homosexuality was classed as a mental illness in America until 1973
L: a reliable definition should be relatively stable and consistent over time
E: lack temporal validity
P: culturally biased (ethnocentric)
E: norms or behaviours that are acceptable in one culture might not be acceptable in another
E: women in the Suri tribe in Ethiopia are required by their culture to wear lip plates and this would be seen as unacceptable in Western society
L: a reliable definition should be
consent between cultures
P: DSN fails to distinguish between deviance and psychological abnormality
E: There are many behaviours that are clearly socially deviant but are not considered to be psychological abnormalities
E: eg, a drink-driver has broken an explicit rule (and the law) but psychiatrists would not class them as psychologically abnormal
L: problematic because the DS definition would class them as abnormal even though psychiatrists would not
