Individual Differences Deviation from Social Norms

Which of the following deviates from social norms? Starter Which of the following deviates from social norms?

What are ‘Social Norms’? Norms are the way that the majority are expected to behave in society Those that do not think or act the same as others in society break the norms, and are therefore deemed abnormal

The Definition The definition is based on the fact that abnormal behaviour is ‘vivid and unpredictable, violating moral and ideal standards’ (Rosenhan and Seligman, 1987) Abnormal thinking is delusional, irrational and incomprehensible because it differs from commonly accepted or usual beliefs and ways of thinking

Evaluation of the Deviation from Social Norms definition Make some notes about the definition’s strengths and limitations. You will need to draw a table: For the exam you will only need to know the limitations. Please think of the strengths yourself. Strengths Limitations

Strengths The model distinguishes acceptable behaviour from the unacceptable Takes into account how our behaviour has an effect on others Social rules are there to help us live happily with one another, if someone breaks these rules then it does make it hard to live with them Takes into account the greater good of society, and recognises that deviant behaviour damages others

Limitations Subjective Change over time Human rights abuse Value of breaking social norms Situational and developmental norms ‘Conforming neurotics’ Cultural relativism Ethnocentric bias in diagnosis

Subjective Often social norms are based on the opinions of the elite Change over time Social norms change as social attitudes change For example the wearing of trousers by women

Human rights abuse The social norms definition has been used to abuse human rights, for example, the term ‘mental illness’ is a form of social control Value of breaking social norms Sometimes it’s beneficial to break social norms, for example, the suffragettes Are these people classified as abnormal?

Situational and developmental norms Sometimes when you break a social norm there are not mental health consequences, for example, naturists (situational norms) There are also developmental norms, for example, think of a 60 year-old having a temper tantrum! ‘Conforming neurotics’ Sometimes sticking to the norms so strictly can cause problems

Cultural Relativism Social norms vary within and between cultures Sometimes it is difficult to tell what is actually abnormal Ethnocentric bias in diagnosis Social norms in this country often reflect the majority, white, population Other ethnic groups may deviate from the norm, although their behaviour is ‘normal’ in their own culture

Has ‘normality’ changed over time? For each of the examples below decide how normal each of the behaviours is on a 5-point scale: Normal = 1 Abnormal = 5 You must decide how normal the behaviours are now (in 2015) and over 60 years ago (e.g. 1955) 2015 1955 1 2 3 4 5 Homosexuality Sex before marriage Teenage pregnancy Size 0 Divorce Rape Female plumbers Surrogacy Murder

Cut & Stick Cut out the essay answer and put it back together in the correct order Stick the essay into your booklet (page 6) Give the essay a mark Make changes to the essay and suggest areas for improvement

Answers

Which is the odd-one-out? Situational norms Human rights acceptance Change over time Subjective Cultural relativism