PSY240H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Mental Disorder, Psychopathology, Cultural Relativism
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PSY240H1 Full Course Notes
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No universal standards or rules exist for labelling a behaviour as abnormal. Western countries bereaved expected to mourn dead loved ones for a time, then to let go" of. Instead, behaviours can be abnormal only relative to cultural norms loved ones and move on in lives if emotional bonds with dead loved ones are not broken, people are considered abnormal and encouraged to seek counselling. Japan maintaining emotional bonds with deceased loved ones is not only normal but also prescribed for bereaved people. Egypt bereaved are encouraged to dwell profusely on their grief, and other people support them by recounting their own losses and openly expressing their sorrow in emotional outpourings. Opponents: dangers arise when societal norms are allowed to dictate what is normal and abnormal. Has some ties to the relativist criterion, because the unusualness of any behaviour depends in part on a culture"s norms for that behaviour.
