Evaluation of Deviation
From Social Norms
Era- dependent
Social norms vary and change over time and because of this we cannot use opinions held in the
past to judge behaviour as deviant – it must be based on present day thinking. As recently as
the 1970s homosexuality was included in the American classification system for psychiatric
disorders (the DSM). Homosexuality between two consenting adults over 18 years of age is
now legal and would not be considered abnormal. It is widely portrayed in the media and
within most Western countries and is now behaviour falling within most social norms. Another
good example is unmarried mothers – before the 1970s this would be considered abnormal and
young women could be institutionalised in psychiatric hospitals because of this.
Context
Norms must be considered in context. Dress codes give us a good example of this; you might
see someone in a full diving suit staggering along the pavement – this looks like a deviation
from social norms but then you realise they are taking part in a charity walk. In the 18 th
century it would have been considered normal for men to wear quite elaborate wigs and by the
20th century this had gone. However, some 18th century-style wigs are still worn ceremoniously
by judges and barristers in court. It isn’t breaking the social norm which defines a behaviour as
abnormal – most people at some time in their lives push against or break social norms – but it
is the context in which the behaviour appears.
Cultural relativity
In Western societies it is the behaviour of the majority white population that establish a social
norm and we must be cautious about applying this Western norm to all societies as a ‘standard’
of behaviour. An example is the age of consent – in the UK it is 16 years of age, whilst in
Indonesia it is 19 and in Saudi Arabia extra-marital sex is illegal regardless of whether or not it
is consensual. In countries such as China and Vietnam political dissidents (people who disagree
with the ruling party) might be classified as schizophrenic and locked up in psychiatric hospitals
or re-education camps. The definition of abnormality in this context is being used as a means
of political control. Clearly, what is considered deviant or abnormal varies considerably across
cultures.
Is breaking norms a bad thing?
Breaking norms can be a good thing and stimulate positive social change. For example, slavery
was once considered ‘normal’ in this society. In the elite of society might even have considered
it abnormal not to have one or more slaves in their household. However, when some members
of this social group broke norms and opposed slavery the eventual result was the abolition of
slavery. Other examples are voting rights for women and rights for children.
Abnormality
The Beauchamp College
Evaluation of Deviation
From Social Norms
Abnormality
The Beauchamp College