L06 - Normality

Question 1

What are the 6 types of normality?

Answer 1

Context dependent:

1 - Sociocultural

2 - Functional

3 - Historical

4 - Situational

Maladaptive focus:

5 - Medical

6 - Statistical

Question 2

What is sociocultural normality?

Answer 2

• Characteristic patterns of normal behaviour and beliefs

- It governs cohort normality, which is what is normal for people who share similar life experiences

Question 3

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 3

The idea that there are differences in acceptable behaviours between cultures

Question 4

What is functional normality?

Answer 4

The ability to perform normally and function in roles that have developed around yourself

Question 5

What is historical normality?

Answer 5

Normality that is present in a particular time period

Question 6

What is situational normality?

Answer 6

Normality that arises according to specific environmental factors

Question 7

What is medical normality?

Answer 7

Normality that is defined by uniform physiological functioning across individuals

Question 8

What is statistical normality?

Answer 8

Normality as an expression of central tendency

Question 9

Which type of normality is most important in establishing the sick role?

Answer 9

Medical normality

Question 10

What 3 definitions are there for conformity?

Answer 10

1 - Crutchfield (1954): yielding to real or imagined group pressure

2 - Myers (1999): a change in behaviour as a result of real or imagined group pressure

3 - Zimbardo et al. (1995): a tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes and values of a reference group

Question 11

In which stage of life are perceptions of normal behaviour developed most strongly?

How might perceived norms affect an individual’s behaviour?

Answer 11

• Perceived norms are developed during adolescence

- Misperceived social norms challenge individuals to conform to their perceived norms rather than to actual norms

Question 12

What is deviant behaviour?

Answer 12

Any behaviour contrary to the dominant norms of society

Question 13

What is normality assessed and maintained by?

Answer 13

• Ritual/routines - ability to fulfil role obligations
• Mores = essential/characteristic customs & conventions of society or community
• Laws

Question 14

What is the difference between self-maladaption and social maladaption?

Answer 14

• Self-maladaptation – individual can’t adapt to goals of their own life; internal process
• Social maladaptation – individual can’t adapt to society; external process