Transcript DSNandFFAdefinitions - Beauchamp Psychology

DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL
NORMS
Definition of
abnormality
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS
(RULES)
Social norms are rules for behaviour based on
a set of moral standards. They may be explicit
(e.g. laws) or implicit (implied, not written
e.g. not standing too close to a person).
These social norms identify behaviours that
are desirable and acceptable
Deviating from these is abnormal and
undesirable
TASK: WHEN ARE THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOURS
NORMAL OR ABNORMAL?
(No need to write answers – just decide)
Wearing no clothes
Eating no food
Screaming & crying
Having several wives
Wearing make up
Drinking a lot of alcohol
Now read the first limitation on p2 – this helps to
demonstrate this point
LIMITATION
 Social norms depend on the society, so it will vary
over time due to the prevailing social attitudes.
 This means that individuals who do not fit in with the
definition may be rejected from society and some
people may use it as a form of social control.
 Eg young unmarried women
 It was unacceptable to have a child out of wedlock,
they were seen as social deviants and locked up in
psychiatric institutions
 E.g. Russians who disagreed with Communism were
called dissidents and this attitude was seen as
symptoms of mental illness and again, locked up.
LIMITATION
 Deviation is not always a bad thing e.g. during WW2
people who helped Jews escape/hide were deviating
from the social norm yet surely this wasn’t
unacceptable?
 This means the definition…….
 Strength
 This definition takes into account the greater good of
society i.e. abnormal behaviour is that which damages
others as it is breaking social rules which are there to
help people live together successfully.
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY
 A person is considered abnormal if they are unable to
live a normal daily life.
 Conventionally, people get up in the morning, wash,
dress, go to work, support their family, have
relationships.
 If someone does not do this, they are considered
abnormal.
 (also give a couple of egs of Rosenhan’s indicators
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY
 1. Dysfunctional behaviour (maladaptiveness)
 Behaviour that prevents having a usual daily routine
such as looking after their appearance, eating,
working, having good relationships
 2. Personal Distress
 Suffering is reported by most abnormal individuals
(although not sufficient on its own as an indicator of
abnormality) eg depression – feelings of misery
 3. observer discomfort
 Causing upset to others by breaking social rules
 E.g. schizophrenia inappropriate emotions, OCD –
rituals may cause those watching to feel discomfort
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY
 4. Unpredictable behaviour
 Most people behave in an expected way given the
situation/ events
 E.g. suicide attempt after failing driving test
 5. Irrational behaviour
 Others cannot understand e.g. schizophrenic painting
room black and taping curtains shut
 On their own these may not be enough to cause a
problem.
 The more that are present, the more the person is
considered abnormal.
LIMITATION
a) Subjective
 Subjective judgement is required for Rosenhan’s
indicators
 E.g. what one person might see as observer
discomfort, another might not
 Consequently, this definition can be questioned in
terms of its reliability as different people will make
different decisions as to whether someone is
abnormal.
LIMITATION
b) is it actually failing to function/maladaptive?
(adaptive means helps survival, maladaptive/failing to
function means hinders survival)
 Some apparently dysfunctional behaviour could
actually be adaptive and functional for the person.
 For example, some disorders such as eating disorders
may lead to extra attention towards the individual,
ultimately resulting in them getting treatment
 Therefore, the behaviour is NOT bad for survival which
goes against the main idea of this definition
d) Failing to function may not be linked to a psychiatric
disorder. E.g. unemployment/economic conditions
could explain why someone does not go to work
rather than a mental illness
 Therefore, this definition is not completely useful.
Strength
 This definition recognises the individual experience
of the patient, allowing us to view the disorder from
the point of view of the person experiencing it.
 This could be considered more humane/ethical