deviation from social norms

• What are socially acceptable norms in a culture?

  Standards for acceptable behaviour that are expected ways of behaving in a society
• How is a person's behaviour classified as abnormal according to social norms?

  If it violates the unwritten rules about what is expected or acceptable behaviour in a particular social group
• What might happen to members of a society who do not conform to social norms?

  They may be defined as abnormal and their behaviour may be incomprehensible or threatening to others
• How does social behaviour vary between cultures?

  It can differ in aspects such as proximity to strangers, voice pitch, volume, and acceptable subjects for discussion
• What is an example of a social norm that has changed over time?

  The legalisation of homosexuality
• What factors must be considered when evaluating the violation of social norms?

  • The degree to which a norm is violated
  • The importance of that norm
  • The value attached by the social group to different sorts of violation (e.g., rude, eccentric, abnormal, or criminal)
• What characterizes antisocial personality disorder?

  Impulsive, aggressive, and irresponsible behaviour
• What does the DSM-5 suggest about antisocial personality disorder?

  It indicates an absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour
• Why are psychopaths considered abnormal according to social norms?

  Because they do not conform to our moral standards
• What are the real-world applications of defining abnormality through social norms?

  • Useful in clinical practices
  • Helps diagnose antisocial personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder
  • Identifies behaviours like recklessness and aggression
• What characterizes schizotypal personality disorder?

  Eccentric behaviour, superstitions, and beliefs
• What is a limitation of using social norms to define abnormality?

  • Differences between cultural or situational norms
  • Lack of universal agreement on what is considered abnormal
  • Difficulty in judging abnormality across different situations and cultures
• How have social norms changed regarding homosexuality over time?

  Homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder until 1980 but is now considered acceptable
• What are the risks associated with labeling someone as abnormal?

  It can lead to unfair labelling and human rights abuses
• What historical examples illustrate the abuse of defining abnormality?

  Nymphomania and drapetomania were used to control women and slaves
• What is the argument for using deviation from social norms in diagnosing disorders?

  • Necessary for diagnosing conditions like antisocial personality disorder and schizotypal disorder
  • Socially unacceptable behaviour is a defining feature of these disorders
• What is a potential negative consequence of using deviation from social norms to define abnormality?

  It has a history of abuse and may do more harm than good