Psychopathology: Lesson 1 - Deviation From Social Norms

Question 1

What is psychopathology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of mental disorders such as depression, phobias and OCD

Question 2

What are social norms?

Answer 2

Standards of acceptable behaviour that are created by a social group and adhered to by all those who are socialised into that group

Question 3

What are the limitations of deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

1. There are some instances where it is beneficial to break social norms (e.g. suffragettes breaking norms to allow women to have the right to vote)
2. Social norms of society aren’t permanent and change over time (e.g. homosexuality was classed as a mental illness in the ICD until 1990 and is no longer a mental illness)
3. Deviation from social norms does not always have mental health issues. A person that does not conform may not be abnormal but individualistic

Question 4

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 4

The view that behaviour can not be judged properly unless it is viewed in the context of the culture in which it originates