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'Attempts to define abnormality are always limited by cultural differences.' Consider how definitions of abnormality may be influenced by cultural differences.
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| Submitted: Thu Aug 14 2003
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'Attempts to define abnormality are always limited by cultural differences.' Consider how definitions of abnormality may be influenced by cultural differences. There are four main definitions of abnormality; statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, deviation from ideal mental health and a failure to function adequately, all of which are influenced by cultural relativism. Whilst an action is classed as normal in one culture, it may be classed as abnormal in another. Therefore, cultural differences prove to be the main limitation when defining abnormality. Freud viewed normality as a value based concept. He believed that it was a society who defined normality and abnormality, and as a result normality is culturally specific. Therefore, we as individuals cannot define what is normal and abnormal in human behaviour as it can take different forms and involve different features as different societies have their own standards and customs. What is normal in one society e.g. the Sun...
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