Who Defines Normality and Abnormality free essay sample

Who defines the concepts of normality and abnormality? When we look around at the people that surround us, we expect to see a person with two eyes, two ears, hair, nose, mouth, bones, etc. This, In our minds, Is a picture of a normal human being. The food we eat, the places we go to, the person we marry, and the culture we live in, defines what Is normal from our point of view. Today there are various definitions that are used by psychologists and people In general for defining abnormal and normal behavior.Of course, these definitions are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Social norm violation: Breaking social rules. Most of our behavior Is shaped by social norms Imposed by the society we live In. There are some cultural expectations about the right and wrong way to do things. Someone who frequently violates these unwritten rules is seen as abnormal. This is a very powerful and persuasive definition. We will write a custom essay sample on Who Defines Normality and Abnormality? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is seemingly common-sense. Norms are so deeply ingrained they seem absolute. In addition, even in a single society such as Romania. Here are a multitude of subcultures. Add to this the fact that norms change through the years so that whats normative in one generation, may not be in another. We are left with a single society where there are no clear norms that apply across all individuals. This definitional stance implies that normality is the same as conformity to the mainstream, when in fact there are many streams. The term abnormality thus loses any firm referent. It is worth mentioning that the definition of normal and abnormal is culturally based.Obviously, social norms vary from one cultural to another. L. Real life situation: female circumcision The first real life situation we will debate on is female circumcision. Nowadays we have liberated ourselves from the restrictions of the morality in the past. When trying to define concepts such as normality and abnormality we must be aware of the little nuances that these defenseless might Imply. Unconventional, non- conformist, bizarre or even weird also suggest a deviation from what we consider to be normal, but It does not go Into the other extreme.Who Defines Normality and Abnormality? By savage with two eyes, two ears, hair, nose, mouth, bones, etc. This, in our minds, is a picture and the culture we live in, defines what is normal from our point of view. Today there are various definitions that are used by psychologists and people in general for our behavior is shaped by social norms imposed by the society we live in. There are of the little nuances that these definitions might imply. Unconventional, non- be normal, but it does not go into the other extreme.