Normality

• Conceptualisation of normality

  Typical and atypical behaviours

  Typical - at most times, the individual acts as they usually do

  Atypical - behaving out of character

  Adaptive and maladaptive behaviours

  Adaptive - behaviour that enables the individual to adjust to the

  environment appropriately and effectively

  Maladaptive - behaviour that interferes with the individual’s ability to

  adjust to the environment
• Typical behaviour

  an activity that is

  consistent with how an

  individual usually behaves
• Atypical behaviour

  an activity that is unusual

  or unnatural according

  to how an individual

  usually behaves
• Normality the state of

  having thoughts, feelings,

  and behaviours that are

  considered common and

  acceptable
• Abnormality the state of

  deviating from the norm,

  usually in a way that is

  undesirable
• SOCIO-CULTURAL

  Suggests that normality can be defined by prominent social codes of a particular

  culture

  Different cultural characteristics that can inform this characteristics include:

  Religious beliefs

  Cultural values relating to work (hours, days)

  Cultural values relating to gender

  Cultural values relating to sexuality
• FUNCTIONAL

  The distinction between what is considered normal and abnormal behaviour has

  often been understood on the basis of what promotes or impairs our ability to

  function effectively
• HISTORICAL

  Defines what is normal and acceptable according to the period of time that it

  occurred. Certain behaviours that are considered normal now may only have

  become historically dominant and therefore acceptable recently and therefore

  would've been considered abnormal in previous time periods
• MEDICAL

  What is considered abnormal can be diagnosed by a

  medical practitioner. So long as any thoughts, feelings

  and behaviours do not fit the clearly outlined

  diagnostic criteria for a particular condition such as a

  mental health disorder, then its normal
• STATISTICAL

  Suggests that thoughts, feelings and behaviours can be recorded and represented

  statistically through normal distribution

  Identifies what is normal based on what has been recorded as the most frequently

  occurring response to a particular situation
• SITUATIONAL

  What is considered as normal depends on the specific

  situation where our thoughts, feelings and behaviours

  emerge.

  Singing out loud and dancing at a concert vs on the street,

  in a library or in a doctor's office
• Neurotypicality

  a term used to describe

  individuals who display

  neurological and cognitive

  functioning that is typical

  or expected
• Neurodiversity

  variations in neurological

  development and

  functioning within and

  between groups of people,

  such as those experienced

  by people with autism