Deviation from social norms 0.0 / 5 ? PsychologyAbnormalityA2/A-levelAQA Created by: Rosiem2102Created on: 18-12-18 10:53 Deviation from social norms Norms are specific to the culture we live in May be different for each generation and every culture Relatively few behaviours that would be considered universally abnormal on the basis that they breach social norms E.g. homosexuality still seen as abnormal in some cultures and was seen as abnormal in our society in the past. Example: antisocial personality disorder Impulsive, aggressive and irresponsible 'Absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour' Making the social judgement that a psychopath is abnormal because they don't conform to our moral standards. Would be considered abnormal in a very wide range of cultures. 1 of 4 Not a sole explanation Real-life application in the diagnosis of APD Therefore a place in thinking about what is normal and abnormal Other factors to consider Distress to other people Never the sole reason for defining abnormality 2 of 4 Cultural relativism Social norms vary greatly between generations and communities. Hearing voices is socially acceptable in some cultures but would be seen as a sign of mental abnormality in the UK. Creates problems for people from one culture living in another cultural group. 3 of 4 Can lead to human rights abuses Historical examples Drapetomania - black slaves running away *********** - Sexual attraction to working class men Clear that these diagnoses were really there to maintain control over minority ethnic groups and women. Classifications appear ridiculous only because our social norms have changed. Radical psychologists suggest that some of our modern categories of mental disorder are really abuses of people's rights to be different. 4 of 4
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