Definition 1

• when a persons behaviour is abnormal and doesnt follow social norms we say that they are deviating from social norms
• the first definition of abnormality is deviation from social norms
• a strength of deviation from social norms is that the definition helps to minimise harm to others. by defining that they are abnormal we can treat them and stop them causing harm
• a weakness of deviation of social norms is that social norms arent fixed. the classification of social norms constantly needs to be updated which makes people question the reliability of the definition
• a weakness of deviation from social norms is that social norms vary with cultural differences, people from a minority ethnic background may be considered abnormal to another culture