Lesson 1 - Deviation From Social Norms

Question 1

What is Psychopathology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of mental disorders (abnormalities) such as depression, phobias and OCD.

Question 2

Deviation From Social Norms (DSN)

Answer 2

Abnormal behaviour is that which goes against the unwritten rules of a given society or culture. All societies have social norms which are standards of acceptable behaviour that are created by a social group and adhered to by all those who are socialised into that group. An example of a social norm is politeness, people who are rude are considered socially deviant. Anyone who goes against social norms is ‘abnormal’.

Question 3

Strengths of DSN (1)

Answer 3

We can distinguish between normal and abnormal behaviour. This definition gives a clear distinction for example if someone is talking to themselves loudly in public, there is an indication something might be wrong and they need help

Question 4

Strengths of DSN (2)

Answer 4

It has real-life applications for example in the diagnosis of anti-social personality disorder (ASPD), the symptoms of this disorder state that the person’s behaviour is deviating from social norms. This is also the case for other disorders such as schizophrenia where people may talk to themselves in public.

Question 5

Weaknesses of DSN (1)

Answer 5

Cultural relativism: Social norms are defined by culture. A person’s behaviour could be seen as abnormal in one culture but not in another. Voice pitch and volume, touching, directions of gaze and acceptable subjects of discussion have all been found to vary between cultures. This creates a problem for people from one culture living in another culture.

Question 6

Weaknesses of DSN (2)

Answer 6

Deviation is related to context and degree: Making judgements on deviance from a social norm is related to context of a behaviour. For example, being nearly naked on a beach is normal but not in a classroom. There is no clear distinction between what is seen as abnormally deviant and what is considered harmless ‘eccentricity’.

Question 7

Weaknesses of DSN (3)

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 but is no longer considered an abnormality.