Typical & Atypical Development Flashcards
Typical vs Atypical
Typical behaviour is behaviour that would usually occur and is appropriate and expected for a given situation, whereas atypical behaviour is behaviour that is not typical, and differs in some way from what is expected in a given situation.
Social Norms
-Behaviour is viewed as atypical when it violates a society’s ideas about what is acceptable in a given situation. In each society, there are social norms
-Social norms are widely held standards that govern what people should and should not do in different situations, especially in relation to others
-We use social norms consciously or unconsciously when considering whether a specific behaviour is acceptable or appropriate, and therefore judging whether it is typical or atypical
Cultural Norms
Generally, each culture and ethnic group within that culture has its own set of norms about what is considered acceptable behaviour
This means that behaviour that clearly violates a social norm in one culture or ethnic group may not do so in another
Statistical Rarity
-From a statistical perspective, it is assumed that any behaviour in a large group of individuals which is measured and plotted on a graph will tend to fall in the bell-shaped pattern of the normal distribution curve
Therefore, typical and atypical behaviour can be determined by how often or how rarely they occur
-Generally, if the large majority of people, called the ‘statistical average’, behave in a certain way, it is considered to be typical behaviour
Similarly, atypical behaviour is any behaviour that occurs least frequently in the population. For example, if the behaviour is common among a small minority of people, called the ‘statistical extremity’, then it is considered atypical
-In addition, a limitation of this perspective is that some behaviours may be categorised as atypical despite not being statistically rare. For example, it is estimated that as many as one in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime, yet this mental health disorder is commonly associated with atypical behaviour
Maladaptive Behaviour
-In contrast, maladaptive behaviour is any behaviour that is detrimental, counterproductive or otherwise interferes with the individual’s ability to successfully adjust (‘adapt’) to the environment and fulfil their typical roles in society
-Maladaptive behaviour tends to violate social and cultural norms because it is does not meet expectations of how a person should usually behave
-For example, behaviour associated with phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder can hinder a person in carrying out what are ordinarily regarded as basic, everyday tasks
-Similarly, someone with a fear of contamination may repeatedly wash their hands. Washing hands is in itself not a maladaptive behaviour. However, it would be considered maladaptive when it requires so much time and effort each day that it interferes with the ability to get on with everyday living
Personal Distress
When a person is distressed, they are extremely upset and suffering emotionally. Generally, if personal distress is a reasonable response to such events and is appropriate in their culture, then it is likely to be considered typical rather than atypical behaviour. If the distress is so intense, disruptive, and persistent that it interferes with the person’s capacity to function adequately for a long period of time, it is likely to be considered atypical as it has become a cause for concern and possibly maladaptive.
Neurodiversity
The concept of neurodiversity is used to describe people whose neurological development and cognitive functioning are atypical and therefore deviate from what is considered typical or normal in the general population.
Neurotypicality
The concept of neurotypicality is based on the terms ‘neuro’ and ‘typical’. Neurotypicality therefore means being neurologically typical. Generally, neurotypicality is used to describe people whose neurological development and cognitive functioning are typical, conforming to what most people would consider to be normal in the general population.
Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way people communicate and interact with others and the world. It is diagnosed when a person displays a pattern of behaviour involving persistent difficulties interacting and communicating with others and more highly restricted or repetitive behaviours, interests, and activities than are typically expected.
Characteristics of Autism: Social Interaction
-They have difficulty with social interaction
-Little to no response to social interaction from others and little or no initiation of social interaction
-Little to no sharing of emotions
-Find it hard to form ‘normal’ relationships
-Many have difficulty showing affection
Characteristics of Autism: Social Communication
-Delayed speech development, limited language skills, and a limited range of facial expressions.
-Facial expressions, gestures, and body movements are often not integrated or do not match what is being said
-Experience difficulty with normal back-and-forth conversations.
-Have difficulty understanding other people’s POV
