Deviation From Social Norm Flashcards
(21 cards)
What does the ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ (DSN) definition of abnormality state?
It defines someone as abnormal if they behave in a way that is seen as ‘unacceptable’ by the majority in society.
What are social norms?
Social norms are the accepted standards of behaviour in a society or community, according to the majority.
What are explicit social norms?
Explicit social norms are written rules that form laws governing behaviour.
What are implicit social norms?
Implicit social norms are unwritten rules that are generally accepted, such as not standing too close to people while talking.
How do social norms regulate behaviour?
Social norms allow for the regulation of normal social behaviour by setting expectations about how people should behave and think.
What does breaking social norms indicate?
Breaking social norms suggests that someone demonstrates social deviance, which is considered abnormal.
Link a disorder to the DSN definition of abnormality.
Tourette’s Syndrome can be linked to the DSN definition as it can cause sudden outbursts called tics, which might break implicit rules of society.
Give examples of implicit rules.
Examples include respecting personal space, queuing, respecting the elderly, and general manners.
What does the ‘Deviation from Social Norms’ (DSN) definition of abnormality state?
It defines someone as abnormal if they behave in a way that is seen as ‘unacceptable’ by the majority in society.
What are social norms?
Social norms are the accepted standards of behaviour in a society or community, according to the majority.
What are explicit social norms?
Explicit social norms are written rules that form laws governing behaviour.
What are implicit social norms?
Implicit social norms are unwritten rules that are generally accepted, such as not standing too close to people while talking.
How do social norms regulate behaviour?
Social norms allow for the regulation of normal social behaviour by setting expectations about how people should behave and think.
What does breaking social norms indicate?
Breaking social norms suggests that someone demonstrates social deviance, which is considered abnormal.
Link a disorder to the DSN definition of abnormality.
Tourette’s Syndrome can be linked to the DSN definition as it can cause sudden outbursts called tics, which might break implicit rules of society.
Give examples of implicit rules.
Examples include respecting personal space, queuing, respecting the elderly, and general manners.
What is a problem with the DSN definition regarding social norms?
Social norms change over time, meaning behaviors seen as acceptable today might change in the future.
For example, homosexuality was classed as a mental illness in America until as recently as 1973.
What does it mean for the DSN definition to be culturally biased?
It means norms or behaviors acceptable in one culture might not be acceptable in another.
For example, women in Ethiopia are required by their culture to wear plates, which would be seen as unacceptable in Western society.
What is a problem with the DSN definition regarding deviance and psychological abnormality?
The DSN fails to distinguish between deviance and psychological abnormality, classifying some behaviors as abnormal that psychiatrists do not.
For example, a drink-driver has broken an explicit rule but is not considered psychologically abnormal.
What is a strength of the DSN definition compared to the Statistical Infrequency definition?
The DSN includes the issue of desirability of a behavior, whereas the Statistical Infrequency definition does not.
For example, a genius is statistically abnormal but most people wouldn’t regard such socially desirable traits as ‘abnormal’.
