Definitions Of Abnormality, Deviation From Social Norms Flashcards
What is deviation from social norms?
When a person behaves in a way that is different from how we expect people to behave.
This behavior is often judged collectively by society.
How do groups define behavior as abnormal?
Based on behavior that offends their sense of what is ‘acceptable’ or the norm.
This reflects a collective societal judgement.
Are social norms universal?
No, they vary by generation and culture.
Few behaviors are considered universally abnormal.
Give an example of a behavior viewed as abnormal in certain cultures.
Homosexuality
In some cultures, it is illegal and viewed as abnormal, such as in Brunei.
What law was introduced in Brunei in April 2019?
New laws making sex between men an offense punishable by stoning to death.
This reflects the cultural norms of that society.
What characterizes antisocial personality disorder?
Impulsivity, aggression, and irresponsibility.
This disorder is also known as psychopathy.
What is an important symptom of antisocial personality disorder according to DSM-5?
Absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behavior.
This indicates a divergence from societal moral standards.
What social judgement is made about psychopaths?
They are considered abnormal because they don’t conform to moral standards.
Psychopathic behavior is widely viewed as abnormal across many cultures.
What is a strength of the deviation from social norms definition in psychology?
It has a real-life application in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder.
This definition helps in understanding what is considered normal and abnormal behavior.
What is a limitation of using deviation from social norms to define abnormal behavior?
Social norms vary tremendously across generations and communities.
This variability can lead to mislabeling behaviors as abnormal based on cultural standards.
How can cultural relativism affect the definition of abnormal behavior?
It can lead to one cultural group labeling the behavior of another as abnormal based on their own standards.
For example, hearing voices may be acceptable in some cultures but viewed as abnormal in others.
What risk does over-reliance on deviation from social norms pose?
It can lead to systematic abuse of human rights.
Historical examples show that diagnoses based on social norms have been used to control minority groups.
True or False: Social norms have remained constant over time.
False.
Social norms change, which can make past classifications of abnormal behavior seem ridiculous.
Fill in the blank: Over-reliance on deviation from social norms can lead to _______ of human rights.
[abuse]
This can occur when behaviors are misclassified as abnormal to maintain control over certain groups.
What is an example of how the perception of abnormal behavior can differ between cultures?
Hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but seen as a sign of mental abnormality in the UK.
This highlights the influence of cultural context on the definition of abnormality.
