PSYCH 270 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: World View, Psychopathology, Josef Breuer
Document Summary
Norms are the commonly accepted right and wrong elements of society. Important to note: there are many different norms across cultures (cultural relativism), so what is normal in one place may not be normal in another. Transient nature of norms (see drapetomania: disease discovered in the 1850s which caused slaves to run away obviously not a real disease) Scientists are also influenced by world view (weltanschauung) Psychologists rarely challenge the prevailing social order and instead may facilitate or endorse it. Normal = defined by average, where deviation from normal = abnormal. No real guidelines for what is considered average, so . The individual determines what is normal and what is abnormal. Important to note: an individual may not be the best judge of their behavior. Inability to meet challenges of life = abnormal. Practical/functional standard (think function=productivity, if you can be productive then you"re abnormal) Flaw: may not always be practical to adapt to life"s circumstances (see: slavery)
