1. Abnormality

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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….

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. ‘One flew over the cookoo’s nest’ TUESDAY 24th JANUARY
FILM CLUB
‘One flew over the cookoo’s nest’ TUESDAY 24th JANUARY