Deviation from social norms

• What is deviation from social norms?

  When people don't behave in a way that society believes they should.
• And who is meant to follow these standards?

  Everyone within that social group.
• Why are these standards set?

  Usually to address fundamental needs.
• What are 2 types of social norms?

  Written laws and unspoken laws.
• What is an example of an unspoken social norm?

  E.g. Standing in a queue as there is no explicit law but it is viewed by society as acceptable behaviour
• Give an example of why social norms be context dependant?

  E.g. It is acceptable to eat with your hands when at KFC or McDonald's but not at a 5 star restaurant.
• Why is it an issue that social norms are era-dependant?

  Social norms have changed over time in history and so basing abnormalities on social norms may not be accurate.
• Give an example of something that used to be classed as abnormal but isn't anymore.

  Homosexuals used to be classed as abnormal but are now generally accepted.
• If social norms are era dependent the what does this tell us?

  That it may not be the most relaible way to define abnormality as people's ideas change over time making it hard to definetly define what is normal and abnormal
• Why is an issue that social norms are context dependant?

  They deviate from place to place so they cannot be used on their own to define abnormality.
• Give an example of why social norms are context dependant?

  Someone that wears little clothes on the beach is normal but on a high street they would be considered abnormal.
• If social norms are context dependent then what does this mean.

  That social norms must be compared with other factors in order to be accurate meaning on their own they are not reliable enough when defining abnormality
• However why may social norms be more useful than statistical infrequency?

  This definition does distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour
• How does the social norms explanation distinguish between desirable and undesirable behaviour?

  It takes into account the effect that behaviour has on others and this helps to separate desirable traits from undesirable traits.
• What does this tell us about the social norms explanation?

  It may be more useful than statistical infrequency and this helps to increase the validity of the explanation.
• What is cultural relativism?


  The view that behaviour cannot be judged properly inless it is viewed in thr context that it originates from.
• What is the DSM?

  A list of mental disorders used to diagnose mental disorders and the symptoms to look out for.