Lesson 1: Definitions of Abnormality - Deviation from social norms

Question 1

What is deviation from social norms?

Answer 1

Any behaviour that does not follow socially accepted patterns and rules. These behaviours would be classed as unacceptable. These ‘norms’ can change between cultures and time periods.

These ‘social norms’ can be explicit, in terms of breaking the law, or just unspoken codes of conduct, for example dress codes. These behaviours can indicate if someone is dealing with a mental health disorder if their behaviours have an undesirable effect on society.

Question 2

Strengths of deviation from social norms

Answer 2

It can help us distinguish a difference between desirable and non-desirable behaviours. It can also protect members of the public from the effects of abnormal behaviour, for example someone wearing no clothes on a busy street. This could be disturbing for an onlooker. Therefore we aim to minimise this behaviour in order to protect people

Question 3

Weaknesses of deviation from social norms

Answer 3

• It does not always indicate whether someone has a psychological abnormality. Therefore we have to make the distinction between someone who is just odd/eccentric and someone who has an actual mental issue. We may risk giving someone a wrongful diagnosis or ostracising them for the way that they act.
• Context must be taken into account when looking at social norms, as they vary from culture to culture. It is important to take into account cultural relativism, as behaviours have to be understood within the context of a culture. Rack (1984) found that African and Caribbean people are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia due to behaviours that are common within their own culture, such as communicating with the deceased. Therefore there may be problems with ethnocentrism.