What does Deviation from Social Norms Mean?
- According to this definition, behaviour is abnormal if it goes against expected and approved of ways of behaving of society.
- Approved ways of behaving in society are known as Social Norms. These can be Explicit (rule based - spoken/taught/legal codes) or Implicit (unspoken rules/pleasantries often taught to children - known as 'P's and 'Q's).
- Abnormality in this case is a relative concept as social norms vary from one situation to another.