Deviation Of Abnormailty

Question 1

What are the 4 criteria for defining abnormality?

Answer 1

Deviation from social norms

Failure to function adequately

Deviation from the ideal mental health

Statistical infrequency

Question 2

What is deviation from social norms

Answer 2

Each society has unwritten rules for what is acceptable behaviour i.e normal

Any behaviour that varies from these rules is said to be abnormal

Draws a line between desirable and undesirable behaviours

People who behave undesirably as labeled as social deviants

Question 3

Where does deviation from social Norms vary?

Answer 3

Cultures

Ages

Gender

Situation

Question 4

What is one important consideration in deviation from social norms ?

Answer 4

The degree to which a social norm is deviated from and how important society sees that norm as being

Question 5

What are the strengths of deviation from social norms ?

Answer 5

HELPS PEOPLE- society gives itself the right to intervene in abnormal peoples lives to help them

SOCIAL DIMENSION- offer an alternative to the isolated ‘sick in the head’ individual

SITUATIONAL NORMS- a behaviour seen as abnormal in one setting can be normal in another

DEVELOPMENTAL NORMS- what behaviours are normal for different ages

DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL- gives a clear indication of what is and isn’t seen as normal behaviour

PROTECTS SOCIETY- from the effects that an individuals abnormal behaviour can have on others