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12 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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3 ways in which abnormality may be defined |
1) deviation from social norms 2) A failure to function adequately 3) deviation from ideal mental health |
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social norms |
guidelines for appropriate behaviour in a particular setting e.g. not laughing at a funeral
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explicit rules |
related to the law e.g. arson, stealing |
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implicit rules |
unspoken- not like criminal law e.g. not standing too close to someone. |
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A person is considered to be abnormal when... |
their behaviour does not conform to social norms |
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strengths of the 'deviation from social norms' definition |
At a practical everyday level, deviation from social norms can be a useful way to identify mental problems |
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limitations of the ' deviation from social norms' definition |
Cultural relativism - social norms vary from culture to culture. Some members of an ethnic minority group may be incorrectly labelled as as abnormal just because their social norms are different to ours. |
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limitations of the ' deviation from social norms' definition |
Social norms change over time - people who were unmarried mothers or homosexual in the past would be seen as abnormal, now society is more tolerant. |
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limitations of the ' deviation from social norms' definition |
Who has the right to say what is 'normal'?
Are eccentric people mentally unhealthy, or just expressing their creativity? |
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limitations of the ' deviation from social norms' definition |
Abnormal or criminal?
behaviour of people who violate legal norms is rarely attributed to an underlying psychological disorder, however, would normal people commit murder or rape? |
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limitations of the ' deviation from social norms' definition |
The role of context
Much of our behaviour is context specific. the way we view what is normal depends on what situation we are in. |
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limitations of the ' deviation from social norms' definition |
Risk of abuse
If we stick strictly to the view that social deviance equals psychological abnormality, there is a risk that those who deviate will be labelled as mad and treated accordingly
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