In psychology, it is stated many times, throughout many publications, that it is difficult to define abnormality. In contrast, I also find it true that it is even more difficult to define normal. In class, we have discussed the ten criteria of abnormality. In my opinion, this stands as a way to define abnormality. However, if a person only meets half of the criteria, or even one of the criteria, are they considered normal or not? This is the conflict that I am going to discuss in the following paper.
Response
One of the first lessons we discussed in class addressed the question of what is abnormal vs. normal psychology. Looking back at the handout, there are many notes on abnormal psychology, but little too no notes on what we can define …show more content…
As stated by Fredric Neuman M.D. in Determining what is Normal Behavior and what is not, “But probably the defining quality of a normal person is a kind of flexibility that allows him to adapt to the different demands and stresses that life imposes upon him. He can tolerate conflict and frustration and loneliness-to some extent” (Neuman, 2013). However, this definition is dependent on each person’s own interpretation of flexibility, adaptation, and tolerance to conflict, frustration, and loneliness. What one person sees as frustrating, may not be to someone else. Or what one person vies as being flexible, is different to what someone else would consider to be flexible. Therefore, again, it is challenging to define specific criteria within the …show more content…
What is seen as abnormal in one society, such as women being require to cover their bodies with fabric except for their eyes, or being required to have a male escort when going outside the home, is normal in another. If this was observed in Vermont, it would create observer discomfort, generating many comments about how this behavior is abnormal to see. Although, if this behavior was observed in Islam or Afghan culture, it would be normal. As it was state in the paper titled, Defining “Normal” and “Abnormal”, “Definitions of normality vary by person, time, place, culture, and situation—they often involve value judgments and are heavily influenced by societal standards and norms” (Boundless, n.d.). Therefore, it seems that we need to have a basic understanding of other cultures (cultural relativism) that are present in our communities, to better define
Response
One of the first lessons we discussed in class addressed the question of what is abnormal vs. normal psychology. Looking back at the handout, there are many notes on abnormal psychology, but little too no notes on what we can define …show more content…
As stated by Fredric Neuman M.D. in Determining what is Normal Behavior and what is not, “But probably the defining quality of a normal person is a kind of flexibility that allows him to adapt to the different demands and stresses that life imposes upon him. He can tolerate conflict and frustration and loneliness-to some extent” (Neuman, 2013). However, this definition is dependent on each person’s own interpretation of flexibility, adaptation, and tolerance to conflict, frustration, and loneliness. What one person sees as frustrating, may not be to someone else. Or what one person vies as being flexible, is different to what someone else would consider to be flexible. Therefore, again, it is challenging to define specific criteria within the …show more content…
What is seen as abnormal in one society, such as women being require to cover their bodies with fabric except for their eyes, or being required to have a male escort when going outside the home, is normal in another. If this was observed in Vermont, it would create observer discomfort, generating many comments about how this behavior is abnormal to see. Although, if this behavior was observed in Islam or Afghan culture, it would be normal. As it was state in the paper titled, Defining “Normal” and “Abnormal”, “Definitions of normality vary by person, time, place, culture, and situation—they often involve value judgments and are heavily influenced by societal standards and norms” (Boundless, n.d.). Therefore, it seems that we need to have a basic understanding of other cultures (cultural relativism) that are present in our communities, to better define