Sociological Explanations Of Abnormality

A social norm is a behavior accepted and expected by society. We learn social norms from feedback, called sanctions, we get from our peers and elders. A sanction can be positive or negative; if it is positive it is a sort of reward that encourages the behavior and if it is negative it is a sort of punishment meant to discourage the behavior. For example, when children fart in public they break the social norm and are scolded or negatively sanctioned by their parents with yelling or are bullied by their peers. However, if the child were to hold a door for someone else they receive a positive sanction of that person’s thanks.

As humans we like to place labels on everything. In order to define, describe, or just to pin point something out. The majority of us humans are guilty of using words such as “normal”, “abnormal”, “crazy”, “psychotic”, and “dysfunctional” to describe people we see behaving in a certain manner. Behavior of an individual usually tends to be the main source from which these labels derive. While placing these labels on various behaviors we forget some factors, which are culture, values, and personal perspective. As a society we are so quick to judge, especially the American society.

Everyday we have social norms that we live up to. There is so many social norms that we are so used to doing that you would have never thought would be a social norm. Some examples include brushing your teeth, saying please and thank you. Although these are things a lot of us do other people may not consider them social norms. Social norms are different everywhere and what society you are coming from.

The differential association theory touts deviance as something that is learned. It is learned through the inter-personal relationships and influences that an individual has with those close to them. Furthermore, the theory declares that learning deviance is similar to, if not identical to, learning anything else. With the differential association theory, the individual is taking a

The term ‘abnormal’ means deviating from the average. Therefore, if we were to adopt a literal approach to defining abnormality, we would conclude that any rare behaviour or ability was abnormal. This, however, is not a useful way of defining abnormality as it doesn’t take into account whether or not the behaviour is desirable. There are three ways of defining abnormality; deviation from

Essentially Social Norms are implied rules that people automatically know to abide by and do not need to be told. Things ranging from not talking in church to not sleeping in class. Anything relating to that would be considered a social norm. A few theories related to breaking social norms are Social Impact Theory, Public Compliance and Normative Social Influence.

Social norm are rules of behaviour that are considered acceptable by groups or society. So violating a norm will be unacceptable by groups or people that you are with. The norm that I choose to violate was chewing my food with my mouth closed around people I know. I choose to violate this norm because as we get older and start gaining common knowledge we will learn and know to chew with our mouth closed as a sign of good manners. To violate this norm I asked a couple of friends to go out and eat breakfast with me.

Social norms are an acceptable behavior in society or a group. People who don’t follow these norms could suffer from a consequence. For example, me and my friends decided to walk backwards down the street, where there were many people walking. Thus, people eventually started to stare and laugh as we began to walk into people and into objects. This is an example of social norms and breaking a social norm.

Patterns of psychological abnormality are typically deviant (different, extreme, unusual, perhaps even bizarre), distressing (unpleasant and upsetting to the person), dysfunctional (interfering with the person’s ability to conduct daily activities in a constructive way), and possibly dangerous.

The Strengths and Limitations of the Biological Model of Abnormality This model uses physical illness as a model for psychological disorder, suggesting that like physical illness, mental illness has an underlying bodily cause. It proposes that genetic, organic or chemical disorders cause metal illnesses which give rise to behavioural and psychological problems. Thus, abnormality has physical causes such as brain dysfunction (neurological), biochemical imbalances, infections or genetics and so can only be cured through medical treatments. Therefore it implies that abnormality results from properly

However the psychodynamic model fails to take into consideration the effects of the environment as does the medical model both are concerned with the internal workings and defects. The Psychodynamic model has had a lot of opposition as it is difficult to define and research, as processes like the id, ego and superego operate on an unconscious level and therefore there is no real way of knowing for certain if they are indeed happening. Most of the evidence provided by this model has been individual case studies which in itself makes it difficult to generalise.

There are several models of abnormality in use today (Comer, 2009) lists “The Biological Model…”, “The Psychodynamic Model…”, The Behavioral Model…”, The Cognitive Model…”, The Humanistic-Existential Model…”, The Sociocultural Model…” (p.33). The biggest contrasts would be the Biological model, and the other models. Comparing the biological model, and the cognitive model will highlight those differences.

Abnormal behavior is defined as a psychological dysfunction within an individual associated with distress or impairment in functioning and response that is not typical or culturally expected (Durand, 2005). There are

The sociocultural model suggests that abnormal behavior is the result of broad forces influencing an individual (Comer, 2015). By using this approach, the therapist is equipped to help Sara understand her irrational thoughts, atypical behaviors, and overall degree of abnormal functioning. Whilst, emphasizing the family-social and multicultural perspectives; a main tenet in facilitating individual experiences in sociocultural therapy. Taking into account, Sara’s traditional Japanese customs and values, coupled with cultural sensitivities and the norm within her respective society (Comer, 2015). Thus, in understanding Sara, the therapist should first focus on her awareness of familial hardships or stress since moving to the United States, helping Sara to identify and express any degree of unhappiness or discomfort.

I really enjoyed your response because you covered many important aspects of this model, while briefly discussing others, as well. Although I also think that no model can completely and only explain abnormality, I too believe that the sociocultural model is an excellent and logical model to explain how seemingly abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and feelings are developed, and what causes them. This model attributes mostly environmental and situational factors as being the leading cause of these behaviors that defy average expectations and standards of normal behavior, or like you mentioned, lack of these forces. This model also seems to incorporate the humanistic model that attributes parenting as another leading force. I really enjoy your example