deviation social norm

• what is the definition of deviation from social norms?

  behaviour violating accepted social ruels
• what does each society have?

  norms , unwritten rules for acceptable behaviour.
• give an example of a norm?

  not being naked in public
• what is any behaviour that varies from the norms?

  abnormal, so abnormal behaviour is , therefore, behaviour that goes against social norms
• what does the definition draw a line between?

  desirable and undesirable behaviours
• what does this definition label individuals behaving undesirably as?

  social deviants; it allows inteference into their lives in order to help them
• what will these norms vary across?

  cultures, situations, ages , gender
• what is seen as acceptable/normal in one culture/situation/age group/gender type will not be in otrhers
• what is one important consideration?

  the degree to which a social norm is deviated from and how important society sees that norm as being
• give 3 strengths of the DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS definition?

  • HELPS PEOPLE
  • SOCIAL DIMENSION
  • PROTECTS SOCIETY
• Give a strength of this definition?

  helps people - society gives itself the right to intervene in abnormal people's lives which can be beneficial - maybe people who need help may not be able to get it themselves
• give a strength of this definition?

  protects society- this definition seeks to protect society from the effects an individual's abnormal behaviour can have on others
• give a strength of this definition?

  social dimension- the definition gives a social dimension to the idea of abnormality which offers an alternative to the isolated 'sick-in-the-head' indvidual
• Give 3 limitations of the definition?

  change over time

  individualism

  cultural differences
• give a limitation of the definition?

  individualism- those who do not conform to social norms may not be abnormal, but merely individualistic or eccentric and not problematic in any sense
• give a limitation of the definition?

  cultural differences:

  • social norms vary within and across cultures and so it is difficult to know when they are being broken
  • therefore this definition of abnormality is an example of CULTURAL RELATIVISM