Difference between revisions of "Normal"
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The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] defines "normal" as 'conforming to a [[standard]]'. Another possible definition is that "a normal" is someone who conforms to the [[Status Quo|predominant behavior]] in a [[society]]. This can be for any number of reasons such as simple imitative behavior, [[Intentional|deliberate]] or inconsistent acceptance of society's standards, [[fear]] of humiliation or rejection etc. | The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] defines "normal" as 'conforming to a [[standard]]'. Another possible definition is that "a normal" is someone who conforms to the [[Status Quo|predominant behavior]] in a [[society]]. This can be for any number of reasons such as simple imitative behavior, [[Intentional|deliberate]] or inconsistent acceptance of society's standards, [[fear]] of humiliation or rejection etc. | ||
| − | The French sociologist [ | + | The French sociologist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emile_Durkheim Emile Durkheim] indicated in his [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_the_Sociological_Method ''Rules of the Sociological Method''] that the most common behavior in a society is considered normal. People who do not go along are violating social norms and will invite a sanction, which may be positive or negative, from others in the society. |
As normality is often hard to define, a case study was done in 2008 in which students at Woodvale Senior High School, specifically students in the [[music]] program, were exposed to a certain kind of abnormality or as it was described at the [[time]] by Dr. Summerville, "weirdness". The [[Objective|aim]] was to see what adolescents perceived as normal, or "average", and what they [[thought]] would be abstract, or as many of the participants described it, "weird". | As normality is often hard to define, a case study was done in 2008 in which students at Woodvale Senior High School, specifically students in the [[music]] program, were exposed to a certain kind of abnormality or as it was described at the [[time]] by Dr. Summerville, "weirdness". The [[Objective|aim]] was to see what adolescents perceived as normal, or "average", and what they [[thought]] would be abstract, or as many of the participants described it, "weird". | ||
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* Durkheim, Emile. (1895, trans. 1982, first American edition). Rules of Sociological Method. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 978-0029079409. | * Durkheim, Emile. (1895, trans. 1982, first American edition). Rules of Sociological Method. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 978-0029079409. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | + | *[https://isitnormal.com Is It Normal?] An online experiment to determine what is normal via unscientific surveys | |
| − | *[ | + | *Lochrie, Karma ''[https://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/journal_of_medieval_and_early_modern_studies/v027/27.1lochrie.html Desiring Foucault]'' Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies - Volume 27, Number 1, Winter 1997, pp. 3–16 |
| − | *Lochrie, Karma ''[ | ||
[[Category: Sociology]] | [[Category: Sociology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:22, 13 December 2020
In behavior, normal refers to a lack of significant deviation from the average. The phrase "not normal" is often applied in a negative sense (asserting that someone or some situation is improper, sick, etc.) Abnormality varies greatly in how pleasant or unpleasant this is for other people.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines "normal" as 'conforming to a standard'. Another possible definition is that "a normal" is someone who conforms to the predominant behavior in a society. This can be for any number of reasons such as simple imitative behavior, deliberate or inconsistent acceptance of society's standards, fear of humiliation or rejection etc.
The French sociologist Emile Durkheim indicated in his Rules of the Sociological Method that the most common behavior in a society is considered normal. People who do not go along are violating social norms and will invite a sanction, which may be positive or negative, from others in the society.
As normality is often hard to define, a case study was done in 2008 in which students at Woodvale Senior High School, specifically students in the music program, were exposed to a certain kind of abnormality or as it was described at the time by Dr. Summerville, "weirdness". The aim was to see what adolescents perceived as normal, or "average", and what they thought would be abstract, or as many of the participants described it, "weird".
Sarah Nader and Murray Bishop, two of the test subjects were asked to have a "normal conversation" with their peers. However it soon became apparent that the discussions had between close, or even "best", friends was defined as weird by others of whom they were engaging in conversation. The conclusions of the study were that normalness is not an entirely flawed concept, rather it is simply defined as what the majority perceives as the mean, or average.
References
- Jung, C.G. (1966). The Problem of the Attitude-Type, in Two Essays on Analytical Psychology, Collected Works, Volume 7 Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-01782-4.
- Durkheim, Emile. (1895, trans. 1982, first American edition). Rules of Sociological Method. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 978-0029079409.
External links
- Is It Normal? An online experiment to determine what is normal via unscientific surveys
- Lochrie, Karma Desiring Foucault Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies - Volume 27, Number 1, Winter 1997, pp. 3–16
