Deviation from social norms
In some ways this is similar to the previous definition and has some of the same advantages and drawbacks.
It considers a behaviour as abnormal if ‘Society’ or the majority considers it unacceptable or undesirable. In this way it appears to overcome the ‘desirability’ criticism of the statistical infrequency approach. For example a genius, although statistically rare is not considered abnormal by this approach since their defining characteristic is not out of line with social norms. Certain behaviours are seen as desirable and expected such as politeness (in the under 70s anyway). Others including aggressiveness, certain sexual habits and spitting are seen as undesirable.
Evaluation
Social norms change over time. Behaviour that was once seen as abnormal may, given time, become acceptable and vice versa. Examples: drink driving was once considered acceptable but is now seen as socially unacceptable whereas homosexuality swung the other way (!). Until 1980 homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder by the World Health Organisation (WHO) but today is considered acceptable (at least by enlightened societies and individuals). Having children out of wedlock was once seen as socially unacceptable and women were locked up in institutions because of it.
As an activity consider behaviours seen as acceptable today that may been seen as deviant or abnormal in a hundred years time!
Desirability. Within some societies a behaviour may be considered undesirable, and as a result treated as abnormal, even though it is seen as desirable by others. Dissidents in the former Soviet Union were considered undesirable because they opposed the system of government. As a result they were imprisoned in the so called Gulags for their beliefs and actions. However, the rest of the world considered these people heroes, or at least desirable. Other similar examples would include those that stood against apartheid in South Africa or opposed the Nazis in 1930’s Germany.
In some ways this is similar to the previous definition and has some of the same advantages and drawbacks.
It considers a behaviour as abnormal if ‘Society’ or the majority considers it unacceptable or undesirable. In this way it appears to overcome the ‘desirability’ criticism of the statistical infrequency approach. For example a genius, although statistically rare is not considered abnormal by this approach since their defining characteristic is not out of line with social norms. Certain behaviours are seen as desirable and expected such as politeness (in the under 70s anyway). Others including aggressiveness, certain sexual habits and spitting are seen as undesirable.
Evaluation
Social norms change over time. Behaviour that was once seen as abnormal may, given time, become acceptable and vice versa. Examples: drink driving was once considered acceptable but is now seen as socially unacceptable whereas homosexuality swung the other way (!). Until 1980 homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder by the World Health Organisation (WHO) but today is considered acceptable (at least by enlightened societies and individuals). Having children out of wedlock was once seen as socially unacceptable and women were locked up in institutions because of it.
As an activity consider behaviours seen as acceptable today that may been seen as deviant or abnormal in a hundred years time!
Desirability. Within some societies a behaviour may be considered undesirable, and as a result treated as abnormal, even though it is seen as desirable by others. Dissidents in the former Soviet Union were considered undesirable because they opposed the system of government. As a result they were imprisoned in the so called Gulags for their beliefs and actions. However, the rest of the world considered these people heroes, or at least desirable. Other similar examples would include those that stood against apartheid in South Africa or opposed the Nazis in 1930’s Germany.
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Cultural issues. As well as the issue of desirability varying between cultures there are other cultural issues with social norms. For example in Japan those who do not submit to the country’s strong work ethic are considered abnormal. Cohen (1988) reports that ‘loony bins’ (quoting here) are used to imprison those unwilling to conform to Society’s expectations. On being released the former inmates are not allowed to work as cooks or bakers and are prevented from holding a driving licence. Controversially Szasz (1960) believed that all mental illness is socially constructed by governments as a means of controlling the behaviour of those it sees as a threat!
The DSM (diagnostic and statistical manual) outlines various syndromes that are specific to certain cultures. See later section on amok, dhat etc. Dissidents who objected to Communist rule in the former Soviet Union were seen as abnormal and interned (without trial) in the infamous Gulags of Northern Russia and Siberia. Nobel prize winner Solzheitsyn was imprisoned for many years by the Soviet regime for his ‘abnormal views.’ |
