Abnormality

You should write these down Aims of todays lesson For you all to understand what abnormality is To be able to describe what deviation from social norms is To be able to outline factors indicating towards failure to function adequately You should write these down

Task 1: On whiteboards Write what you think a definition is for… ‘normal’ ‘abnormal’

What is ‘normal?’ In society there are unwritten rules for acceptable behavior What is an example of this? For example, eye contact… enough but not too much Any behavior that varies from theses norms is ‘abnormal’ Otherwise called… deviation from social norms Social norms

What is abnormality? Difficult to define “Perfect sanity is a myth propagated by straightjacket salesmen” What does this mean? Psychological or behavioral state leading to impairment of interpersonal functioning and/or distress to others

Abnormal behavior falls into two categories Atypical behaviour Can be interpreted by others as ‘weird’ ‘strange’ or ‘deviant’ It may not necessarily be harmful For example: - Talking to the paint on the wall - Laughing all the time Not displaying normal behaviour

Turn to page 146 in the black mask Read ‘In the News’ In pairs, discuss your opinions on this Would this be an atypical behavior? Could it be harmful… If so, can this be called an atypical behavior? No, this would be….

Maladaptive behaviour Can be harmful to people Physically Mentally Emotionally For example; Binge drinking – not deviant, but harmful to self Naked rambler– weird, deviant and potential harm others

Behaviour that is both atypical and maladaptive can be criminal Example; child molestation It is atypical because it deviates from normal sexuality It is maladaptive because it harms the child emotionally and physically

Where does abnormality stem from? Flawed biology Problems with mind ‘incorrect’ learning Where does abnormality stem from?

This line label individual's behaving undesirable as social deviants Social norms allows for a line to be drawn between desirable and undesirable behaviors Below line = abnormal Above = normal --------------------------------------------------------------------

Important Norms vary across cultures, situations, ages and gender What is seen to be acceptable in one culture, situation, age group of gender type, may not be in another Also important; The extent of deviation (little or a lot) How important society sees this norm

Examples “British values: democracy the rule of law individual liberty mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith” Would this be abnormal? Would this be against our social norms? Why?

Is having social norms a good thing? Think by yourself for 2 minutes Discuss in pairs for 3 minutes Show your opinions on your whiteboard

Is having social norms a good thing? Gives society the right to intervene into ‘abnormal’ individuals lives. This can be beneficial as such individuals may not be able to help themselves

Is having social norms a good thing? Considers the social dimension of behaviour; a behaviour seen as abnormal in one setting which is regarded normal in another – situational norms For instance, being naked in town is abnormal, but on a nudist beach this is normal

Is having social norms a good thing? Allows for developmental norms, which refers to behaviours which are normal for different ages For example; wearing nappies at 2 is normal, at 18 it is not

What are the issues with social norms? Who makes these rules? Subjective - Social norms are based on the opinions of ruling elites within society, rather than majority A true definition of abnormality should be free from subjectivity

What are the issues with social norms? Social norms can change over time The norms often relate to moral standards which vary over time as attitudes change For example; Homosexuality was removed from International Disease Classification of Mental Disorders in 1990

What are the issues with social norms? Western norms reflect behaviour of majority of ‘white’ population This means that ethnic minorities are over represented in mental illness statistics Cochrane 1977 found that black people were more often diagnosed with schizophrenia than white or Asians

What are the issues with social norms? Cultural differences Social norms between cultures and within cultures, so it is difficult to know when they are broken In England, at weddings if a man was to wear a skirt this may be abnormal However, in Scotland, it is tradition for men to wear kilts This definition of abnormality is example of cultural relativism

plenary On your whiteboards, write one thing you learned today Look back at the aims of today’s lesson… have you met these? If not, please ensure you look over the slides again before next lesson

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