Defining Abnormality With Consideration of Cultural Differences

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Defining Abnormality With Consideration of Cultural Differences

Cultural differences are always a problem when defining abnormality.

What one would consider completely normal in one culture would be

considered abnormal in another, for example the island of Java often

set fire to a ball soaked in petrol and then play football with it.

Here that would be considered wrong and abnormal but is an everyday

occurrence for the people of Java. This concept doesn't only apply to

eastern cultures; the English could be defined as abnormal by other

cultures definitions, even by other western societies e.g. it would

not be considered normal by the Italians to wait at a red light when

there are no other cars around as the British often do.

The 'Deviation from Social Norms' definition of abnormality is greatly

limited by cultural differences, for example in Japanthere is a very

strong work ethic. Those who do not wish to conform and work hard are

labelled insane and confined in asylums. If such behaviour was

displayed in England they ...

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