Social View of Abnormality

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Culture and society have proven to be very powerful behaviour-shaping forces. When people violate the rules of their specific culture, they may be considered abnormal. Also, because of the relative ease of mobility among people of different countries (and thus cultures), misunderstandings can occur among individuals. For example, in countries such as Indonesia, using your left hand to eat is offensive. In these cultures people use their left hands to cleanse after a bowel movement. To eat with the left-hand, therefore, is considered poor manners and regarded with disgust. In this example, and countless others, a person who frequently violates the unwritten rules of a society/culture may be considered not only rude but deviant and, therefore, abnormal.

Sometimes people who challenge the norms of a society are considered deviant although they may be working toward good causes. Nellie McClung, a Canadian feminist leader, politician, author and social activist (with Alberta ties!) who wished to improve the status of women, would be considered abnormal by this view because she acted for change against the norm.