Outline and Evaluate the Definitions of Abnormality

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Outline and evaluate the definitions of abnormality A social norm is behaviour in any given society which is considered acceptable and regular, these norms are often based around the law set by the authorities or in some cases the unwritten law of the citizens within the society, it is expected that all people abide by these norms therefore any deviation from the norms is branded abnormal behaviour. Social norms vary hugely between not just countries and cultures but also areas within countries or even boroughs. Due to this wide diversity there have been criteria set into place to identify whether the behaviour is abnormal. There are also a number of criteria for one to examine before reaching a judgment as to whether someone has deviated from society's norms. The first of these criterion being culture; what may be seen as normal in one culture, may be seen as abnormal in another. The second criterion being the situation & context one is placed in; for example, going to the toilet is a normal human act, but going in the middle of a supermarket would be seen as highly abnormal. The third criterion is age; a child at the age of three could get away with taking off its clothing in public, but not a man at the age of twenty. The fourth criterion is gender: a male responding with behaviour normally reacted to as female, and vice versa, is retaliated against, not just corrected. The fifth criterion is historical context; standards of normal behaviour change in some societies, sometimes very rapidly. Any deviation from ideal mental health is considered abnormal and so a criteria was devised to identify is someone was showing symptoms of having some sort of mental disorder, Jahodas criteria for IMH (1958) said that the first criterion would be that anyone within the IMH would be in touch with own identity and feelings. If the individual is focused on the future and

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