Lesson 1 - Definition Of Abnormality: Deviation From Social Norms

Question 1

Define deviation from social norms

Answer 1

• any behaviour that doesn’t follow accepted social rules
• violation of these patterns can be regarded as abnormal behaviour & classed as unacceptable
• norms & values & ways to behave vary from one culture to the next from one time period to the next

Question 2

AO1: deviation from social norms

Answer 2

• looks at the impact of an individual’s behaviour upon other people
• deviation from social norms can be seen as abnormal & undesirable
• rules can be very explicit & breaking them could mean breaking the law
• other rules seen as “codes of conduct”
• deviation from social norms can be used to help identify a person suffering from a mental disorder

Question 3

Ao3: strength of deviation from social norms
(Distinguishes a difference between desirable & non desirable behaviour)

Answer 3

• Model aims to protect members of the public from effects of abnormal behaviour & damaging consequences it can have
• e.g. it’s abnormal for someone to not wear clothes in the street - damaging & disturbing behaviour
• To highlight this behaviour as abnormal we can aim to minimise this behaviour in order to protect members of the public from its effects

Question 4

Ao3: weakness of deviation from social norms
(Definition doesn’t always clearly indicate that a person has a psychological abnormality)

Answer 4

• psychologists must be cautious when making judgements about whether deviation from social norms implies that someone is abnormal or just odd
• e.g. people who streak might be quite odd & their behaviour does deviate from social norms however doesn’t mean they’re mentally disturbed
• thus must be cautious when making judgements about whether someone’s mentally disturbed or not

Question 5

Ao3: weakness of deviation from social norms
(Context must be taken into account)

Answer 5

• e.g. wearing no clothes in high street would be viewed as odd & deviating from social norms
• however wearing no clothes would be acceptable in a different context (a nudist beach) & thus, the behaviour would be acceptable
• thus, context must be considered when judging if behaviour is deviant or not