Limitations Of Abnormality Being A Deviation From Social Norms

Question 1

What is a limitation of this definition

Answer 1

Firstly deviation from social norms doesn’t always indicate psychological abnormality. In fact there may be a fine line between behaviours that are eccentric and those that are abnormal and pathological.

Question 2

What could be considered strange VS pathological ?

Answer 2

Running naked across a rugby pitch may be regarded as strange or idiosyncratic but we cannot assume the person is mentally disturbed. However if Martians have taken over their TV set, then this may be pathological and a symptom of schizophrenia.

Question 3

A limitation regarding what is acceptable and normal with the time

Answer 3

Another problem is that beliefs about what is acceptable and normal change with the time; what is considered deviant by one generation- such as being gay maybe be considered perfectly normal by another.

Question 4

Limitations regarding culture

Answer 4

What is considered deviant is also culturally relative; in some Caribbean cultures talking aloud to dead family members is considered normal whereas in others it may be seen as a sign of illness. Thus the definition of abnormality as deviation from social norms may be culturally biased.