**L1 - Deviation from Social Norms

Question 1

what is PSYCHOPATHOLOGY?

Answer 1

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY is the SCIENTIFIC STUDY of MENTAL DISORDERS (abnormalities) such as DEPRESSION, PHOBIAS and OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Question 2

how do we DIAGNOSE someone with a MENTAL DISORDER?

Answer 2

In order to DIAGNOSE SOMEONE with a MENTAL DISORDER we must first decide what way their BEHAVIOUR DIFFERS from what is ‘NORMAL’

There’s NOT ONE SINGLE ACCEPTED DEFINITION of WHAT MAKES A PERSON ABNORMAL.

Each definition captures SOME ASPECT of what makes a person abnormal, however they all have limitations

Question 3

what is the DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS definition for ABNORMALITY?

Answer 3

Under this definition, ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR is that which GOES AGAINST the UNWRITTEN RULES in a GIVEN SOCIETY or CULTURE

Question 4

what are SOCIAL NORMS in the context of DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS?

Answer 4

ALL SOCIETIES have their SOCIAL NORMS. These are the STANDARDS of ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR that are CREATED BY A SOCIAL GROUP, and ADHERED TO BY ALL THOSE WHO ARE SOCIALISED INTO THAT GROUP.

For instance, you DO NOT STAND TOO CLOSE to a PERSON YOU JUST MET

Question 5

SOCIAL NORMS APPLICATION - DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS

Answer 5

SOCIAL NORMS are in place for a GOOD REASON. An example of a SOCIAL NORM is POLITENESS, people who are RUDE are considered SOCIALLY DEVIANT because others will find it HARD TO INTERACT WITH THEM

Anyone who BEHAVES DIFFERENTLY (deviates) from these SOCIAL NORMS is CLASSED AS ABNORMAL by this definition

Question 6

• BENEFICIAL TO DEVIATE (LIMITATIONS OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS)

Answer 6

• in SOME INSTANCES it CAN BE BENEFICIAL TO BREAK SOCIAL NORMS - for example the SUFFRAGETTES BROKE MANY SOCIAL NORMS but this LED TO WOMEN GAINING THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Question 7

• SOCIAL NORMS CHANGE (LIMITATIONS OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS)

Answer 7

• the SOCIAL NORMS of a SOCIETY CHANGE OVER TIME. For example, HOMOSEXUALITY was CLASSED AS A MENTAL ILLNESS in the INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES until 1990. It is NO LONGER CONSIDERED AN ABNORMALITY

Question 8

• DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES (LIMITATIONS OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS)

Answer 8

• DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES. Those who DO NOT CONFORM TO SOCIAL NORMS MAY VERY WELL NOT BE ABNORMAL but MERELY ECCENTRIC.

For example, NATURISTS BREAK SOCIAL NORMS but are NOT OFTEN PERCEIVED AS HAVING MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS