Definitions of abnormality: deviation from social norms

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  • Created by: AnnabellP
  • Created on: 25-11-17 09:34
What does this definition imply?
that there is a 'correct' and 'incorrect' way of behaving and that any deviation from the 'correct' way is abnormal
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What are the social norms?
An expectation for individuals to adhere. a set of unwritten rules of what is acceptable behaviour, which have been constructed by society
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What is there an argument about?
the norms are set by the ruling elite within a society and are more a means of policing people and maintaining social order than an objective definition of what is normal and abnormal
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What does the deviation from social norms definition permit?
a distinction between what is seen as desirable and undesirable behaviour, classifying those exhibiting undesirable behaviour as socially deviant
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What gives society the right to intervene in people's lives?
controlling institutions like the health service
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What do these controlling institutions have the right to do?
intervene in people's lives in order to protect the rest of society and to 'treat' social deviants so that they can become 'normal' again and be returned to mainstream society
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How can this definition be beneficial to abnormal individuals?
deviants, such as those classed as sexually deviant, may be unable to recognise that their behviour is maladaptive and therefore be unable to seek help by themselves
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What can the definition be seen to add?
adds a social dimension to the concept of abnormality, as it perceives the main purpose of mental health care as being to exclude from society individuals who are seen as behaving in unacceptable ways
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How many types of social norms are there to which adherence is expected?
several
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Name 3 social norms to which adherence is expected
situational/contextual norms, developmental/age norms, cultural norms
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What are situational/contextual norms?
where certain behaviours are expected/not expected in certain situations. for example, it is acceptable for females to wear a bikini on the beach but not in the supermarket
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What are developmental/age norms?
where certain behaviours are expected at different times in one's lifespan. for example, temper tantrums are perfectly acceptable for a 2-year-old to exhibit but not for a 40-year-old
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What are cultural norms?
where certain behaviours are acceptable/unacceptable in different cultural settings, like homosexuality being accepted in Western cultures but not in African ones
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How may strengths are there of this definition?
2
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How is clear indication o fhwat is and isnt perceived as normal a strength?
this allows the relevant agencies such as MHP to know when they have a responsibility to intervene in people's lives. This is beneficial because it means individuals will get clinical help that they probably wouldn't have got left on their own
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What can the definition be seen to establish?
norms of normality that apply in different circumstances
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What does this give?
a degree of flexibility that no other definition has
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Why does this mean Situation norms are a strength?
where the definition considers the social dimensions of behaviour, are where a behaviour seen as abnormal in one seting may be regarded as normal in another.
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Why does this mean developmental norms are a strength?
establish what behaviours are normal/abnormal at different ages
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Why does this mean cultural and gender norms are a strenght?
where normality changes across cultures and between genders, again showing the flexibility the definition offers
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How many limitations are there of this definition?
3
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What did Szasz 1960 argue about the definition?
It is used to justify discriminating against sections of society as a form of social control. some countries like China categorise politial opponenets as being abnormal and then forcibly treat them in mental institutions
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What are individuals who adhere so strictly to social norms called?
conforming neurotics
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Why is this a limitation?
they fear rejection and ridicule so much that they conform rigidly to society's norms and worry excessively about them. this is a form of abnormality, yet the individuals are not classified as abnormal by the deviation from social norms definition
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Why are social norms not real in an objective sense?
they are based on the opinions of a society's elite and are then sed to police those seen as challenging social order
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What do social norms also refer to?
moral standards that change over time, like homosexuality once being classed as a mental disorder
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Why is this a limitation?
a truly objective definition would not have such variations. additionally, those who deviate from social norms may simply be individualistic or eccentric, rather than abnormal
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What is the practical application?
for positive social change to occur, it is often necessary for social norms to be broken.
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What is this a form of?
minority influence, where a minority slowly wins a majoirty over by going against mainstream social norms and changing people's belief systems
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Where is this to be encouraged?
in organisations that require the foramtion of innovative ideas and practices
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are the social norms?

Back

An expectation for individuals to adhere. a set of unwritten rules of what is acceptable behaviour, which have been constructed by society

Card 3

Front

What is there an argument about?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What does the deviation from social norms definition permit?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What gives society the right to intervene in people's lives?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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