deviation social norm

Cards (16)

  • 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