Psychopathology L1 - Definition Of Abnormality: Deviation From Social Norms

Question 1

Definition of deviation from social norms

Answer 1

Any behaviour that doesn’t follow accepted social patterns/rules. Such violation can be regarded as abnormal behaviour and would be classed as unacceptable

Question 2

An example of deviation of social norms

Answer 2

Wearing no clothes in public

Question 3

How does culture/time affect deviation from social norms

Answer 3

Norms, values and accepted ways to behave vary from culture to the culture and from time period to time period

Question 4

What does deviation from social norms look at?

Answer 4

The impact of an individuals’ behaviour upon other people
The behaviour displayed is examined in terms of how desirable the behaviour is for the individual and for society as a whole
It is seen as abnormal and undesirable

Question 5

When do people deviate from social norms

Answer 5

Every society has rules based on moral standards
Some are explicit like in law, others are ‘codes of conduct’ like dress codes

Question 6

What does deviation from social norms help do?

Answer 6

It can help identify someone who is suffering from a mental disorder, if behaving strangely we can be concerned that they may be suffering from a mental disorder

Question 7

Disadvantages of deviation from social norms

Answer 7

• using it as a definition of abnormality as it may not always clearly indicate they have a psychological abnormality. Must be cautious about judgments as they could be abnormal or just odd/eccentric, may need more information other then behaviour. e.g. streaking is odd but might not be mentally disturbed.
• must take into account the context of the situation e.g. wearing no clothes in a high street would be seen as deviating from social norms but it would be acceptable at a nudist beach

Question 8

Advantages of deviation from social norms

Answer 8

• it distinguishes between desirable and and non-desirable behaviour. It aims to protect members of the public from the effects of abnormal behaviour and the damaging consequences it can have. E.g. wearing no clothes in the high street would be damaging & disturbing for others. Therefore by highlighting it as abnormal, we can minimise the behaviour in order to protect members of the public from its effects
• some people are socially deviant as they have chosen a non-conformist lifestyle or motivated by high principle e.g. the ‘deviants’ in nazi germany spoke out against Hitler’s atrocities; they were doing the right thing by deviating from the norm, also not following a group of bullies, doing the right thing