Deviation from social norms

Question 1

According to this definition, when is an individual abnormal?

Answer 1

If their behaviour differs from the socially acceptable behaviour which is expected within a society/culture

Question 2

What is the most significant weakness of this definition?

Answer 2

Cultural relativism

• It is dependent on the culture.
• What one culture considers normal, another may not.
• There is so much cross culture variation in what is considered to be normal.

Question 3

What are the strengths of this definition?

Answer 3

• It is flexible with age and situation, eg. it is acceptable to wear a bikini on the beach but not whilst shopping.
• It allows clarity within a society and culture so everyone is aware of what’s normal
• helps society to be ordered and predictable

Question 4

What is another weakness of this definition?

Answer 4

It is never a sole reason for abnormality so other explanations need to be considered

Question 5

How do changes in social norms affect deviation from social norms as an explanation for abnormality?

Answer 5

• Social norms always change over time. Eg. homosexuality used to be illegal and considered abnormal, now it is more common and considered to be normal. Because of this the older generation may be more closed minded towards the idea

Question 6

Why is deviation from social norms more useful than statistical deviation?

Answer 6

It takes into account the issue of desirability of behaviour

Question 7

What do you need to consider in this definition?

Answer 7

The degree to which a norm is violated
The importance of that norm
the value attached by the social group to different sorts of violation