Deviation from Social Norms Flashcards
What is an Explicit rule?
“Explicit rule” – spoken rule, e.g. do not kill, do not steal, 10 commandments etc.
What is an Implicit Rule?
“Implicit rule” – mutually understood/ expected social norms e.g. personal space, holding eye contact in conversation etc.
Outline Deviation from Social Norms
Failure to comply with explicit rules would be deemed abnormal because they are specific, spoken rules that society expects you to follow, for example, laws such as do not murder. Moreover, if you weren’t to comply with implicit rules it would be deemed abnormal because they are supposedly mutually understood, although unspoken, rules of society; For example, consistently invading someone’s personal space.
What are the limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’
Eccentric or abnormal?
Abnormal or criminal?
The role of context*
Change with the times*
Risk of Abuse
Cultural Issues*
limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’:
Eccentric or abnormal
does not always indicate psychological abnormality. Idiosyncratic behaviours (e.g. running naked across a football pitch) aren’t always regarded as mentally disturbed
- However, if someone was to insisted Martians had taken over their brain that suggests mental disorder; thus only particular abnormal behaviours are deemed pathological
- Eccentric behaviour can be interpreted to suggest indication of mental illness
- Blunt speaking =eccentric/deviant
- Rudeness that crosses the line to abusiveness = suspected psychological disorder
limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’ :
Abnormal or criminal?
violating legal norms = criminal behaviour can be an indication of an underlying psychological disorder.
– Perpetrators of severe crimes (e.g. rape and murder) are often regarded as abnormal as their extreme antisocial behaviour is often deemed inherent to their personality – not just their behaviour.
– Social psychology studies have shown that in extreme circumstances ‘normal’ people can behave shockingly antisocial ways. E.g. Milgram
limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’
The role of context*
Much of our behaviour = context-specific. Contextually situations can make a difference between normal and abnormal,
e. g. chanting encouragement:
(a) at football match = normal (b) at shopping = abnormal
limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’
Change with the times*
beliefs about ‘abnormality’ and the social norms of morally acceptable behaviour chance over time. Deviance to one generation may be perfectly acceptable to the next. Examples: (1) Early 20th Century unmarried pregnant women were sent to mental institutions and their babies adopted, contrary to today. (2) In recent centuries, homosexuality was deemed as deviance. Until 1967 homosexual acts in the UK were criminal offences. In 1973 American Psychiatric Association classified homosexuality as a mental disorder.
limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’
Risk of Abuse
If we adhere strictly to the view that social deviance equates to psychological abnormality then there is a risk that those who deviate are labelled ‘mad’ and treated accordingly.
E.g. USSR dissidents who didn’t remain loyal to the party were considered abnormal and diagnosed insane and detained in asylums
In Japan a diagnosis of insanity, for those unwilling to conform was a threat to ensure a strong work ethic. Thus definition = influence of social control
limitations of the definition ‘deviation from social norms’
Cultural differences*
Western population: white societies are believed the ‘norm’ due to tradition and any deviation from which = psychological abnormality
Social norms vary –What is unacceptable to one culture may be a custom in the next, e.g. la Tomatina festival in Buñol
What is cultural relativism?
The idea that some aspects of psychology vary from culture to culture
How does cultural relativism link to deviation from social norms?
> Definitions of abnormality will vary from culture to culture
> Unwritten social rules (implicit) are culturally relative (i.e. you cannot judge behaviour properly unless it is viewed in the context from which it originates as different cultures have different social norms and behaviour may differ across cultures)
