Deviation from Social Norms

Question 1

What is the main idea of the DSN definition?

Answer 1

behaviour is deemed ‘abnormal’ if it deviates from the understanding of appropriate behaviour within that culture or society

Question 2

what’s the main example of an unwritten rule in the UK?

Answer 2

people do not talk to themselves in public

Question 3

what are norms?

Answer 3

norms can be desirable or undesirable. kindness is desirable whereas arrogance is not. a social norm is what the majority within a society deem to be a desirable norm for example politeness is an more in England

Question 4

does this definition have temporal validity?

Answer 4

in this case the definition does not have temporal validity as over time social norms change. for example it used to be looked down upon and even illegal to be gay however now times have changed and can be considered a normal thing to happen. this is a negative for the definition as it means that it can not set principles or statement that will last.

Question 5

how is the definition culturally relative?

Answer 5

social norms are entirely based on what societies and cultures see as appropriate. what some countries see as appropriate is different from another, for example some culture believe that when a person dies their soul remains and so will talk to them and this may be a social norm in one place however in the UK someone seen talking to no one may be seen as sign of mental illness