deviation from social norms

• Point: One strength of deviation from social norms is its usefulness.

  Evidence: Deviation from social norms is integral to diagnosing conditions like antisocial personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder.

  Explain: Non-conformity to societal standards is a key criterion for these disorders, such as recklessness, aggression and deceitfulness.

  Link: Therefore, this criterion serves as a practical tool for psychiatric diagnosis and understanding of atypical behaviour.
• Point: lim - the variability between social norms in different cultures and even different situations.

  Evidence: For example, the experience of hearing voices is the norm in some cultures (messages from ancestors) but would be seen as abnormal in the UK.

  Explain: This variability complicates the assessment of deviation from social norms, as what is considered abnormal in one culture or context may be normal in another.

  Link: Thus, the criterion of deviation from social norms requires careful consideration of cultural and situational factors to accurately assess abnormal behaviour.