Defining Abnormality and normality

Does the person act in ways that are unexpected by themselves or other people

Normal curve indicates that behaviour are common while others are rare

What is abnormal at one time might be Norma later, even in the same culture. E.g homosexuality used to be viewed as a mental illness but now accepted by most in Western culture

Behaviour that is normal in one place and context may be abnormal in a different situation. E.g nudity is normal in the bath, changing room and on the nudist beaches but not on supermarkets

Normal behaviour is socially accepted while abnormal behaviour is not accepted

Ranges from having a positive effect to being barely noticeable

Violation of social norms

Violation of social norms is a definition of abnormality where a person's thinking or behavior is classified as abnormal if it violates the (unwritten) rules about what is expected or acceptable behavior in a particular social group.

The approach regard breaking society's standards or norms as an abnormality

Violation of country rules

The approach view maladaptive behaviour as failure to function adequately, however many people engage in such behaviour but are not consider abnormal

Abnormal thoughts, feelings or behaviourist have underlying biological cause and can be diagnosed and treated

Jahoda defines six characteristics each view normality and abnormality from different perspectives