1. Individual Differences
Deviation from Social Norms

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Answers

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