The concept "normal" is used frequently and indiscriminately in today's society (Sanfeliciano, 2018). On many occasions, people hear that certain things or behaviors are or are not normal. Now, when trying to define the idea of normality, the matter becomes more complicated, since, it is difficult to define what is normal and what is abnormal. Sanfeliciano (2018) mentions that, faced with this issue, it is necessary to question, if there is a line that separates normality from abnormality, how can one know when it has been crossed?
Normality and Abnormality in Culture
In a first approximation, it can be said that normality is a construct that is produced through cultural and social dynamics, through the acceptance of values and beliefs of a group, i.e., it is modeled as transformations or processes occur in society and its participants, therefore, there is no general or unifying normality for different communities, societies, social groups, among others (Huenchucona, 2021). That is, according to Sanfeliciano (2018), it is not going to be possible to speak of normality in general, but of normality within a specific society.
For this reason, it is difficult to consider the concepts of normality and abnormality without reference to culture (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley 2007). In a given culture, there are many common beliefs and widely accepted behaviors that are part of the mores. For example, many people in Christian countries think that the 13th is unlucky and many take special care on that day. For this reason, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), some hotels, buildings and hospitals do not have a 13th floor; on the other hand, the Japanese, for example, have no problem with this number, although they are very careful not to use the number 4, since the Japanese word four resembles the word death.
Likewise, the words used to describe psychological distress vary greatly depending on the culture (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley 2007). Verbigraciatively, in correspondence with Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), there is no expression "depressed" in the languages of certain Native American or Southeast Asian groups. Of course, this is not to say that members of these cultures do not suffer from psychological depression.
However, the way in which certain mental disorders appear may depend, to a large extent, on the cultural way in which pain is described. For example, in China, according to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), people with depression often complain of the physical aspects of the disorder, such as fatigue, dizziness, and headache, but there are no consistent complaints of the sadness that accompanies depression.
Although cultural factors influence the clinical manifestations of the illness, it is also possible to find that certain forms of psychopathology appear to be very specific to certain cultures (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley 2007). An example might be koro, which is an anxiety disorder that often occurs in young Asian men. Corresponding to Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2007), it is characterized by an enormous preoccupation with certain body parts that protrude, often the penis, and begin to shrink or even disappear in the body, thus causing death.
What is "Normal" and what is Abnormal?
In correspondence with Orozco (2014), normality is what is considered natural, what flows and happens spontaneously and, for that reason, it is simply accepted, it is what is common, what does not affect or discomfort the individual himself or other people, therefore, no one seems to be uneasy or concerned about what is known as normality.
Taking into account this meaning and that in certain circumstances they influence or aggravate each other, according to Huenchucona (2021), abnormality would be the opposite condition, diminished or far from what is considered normal, that is, a "deviant" and "maladjusted" behavior from the cultural norm, but just like normality it adjusts to the sociocultural parameters through acceptance, beliefs and reproduction of the same.
Corresponding to Orozco (2014), such deviations or "abnormalities" appear in two directions: the first, in a positive direction, as for example, giftedness, maximum endowments in a rational or artistic sphere, special intuitive endowments, among others; and the second are anomalies in the negative sense, as for example, those behaviors that deviate from the usual norm in a negative sense.
History of Normality and Abnormality
To begin the historical journey, it is necessary to refer to four moments that illustrate different interpretations of abnormal behavior (Rivera, 2020). The first moment occurred in prehistoric times, where there is a supernatural explanation for the disturbed behavior, since it is seen as a punishment or as a consequence of the devil or witches. Later, this behavior was understood as a sign of stress and depression. Later, in correspondence with Rivera (2020), it was thought that the anomaly was the result of the moon and the stars.
In the second moment, in antiquity, this behavior that was believed to be unusual, was considered a result of biology, and for Hippocrates and Galen, these behaviors were the cause of excess body fluids, so the theory of the four basic temperaments is developed (Rivera, 2020). In the 19th century, according to Rivera (2020), people believed that these behaviors were the cause of dementia caused by brain infections.
Then, in the modern era, due to the treatment and solutions given to abnormal behaviors that violate the integrity and morality of people, and with the psychological movement at that time, various care centers were established (Rivera, 2020). In the same way, in correspondence with Rivera (2020), due to the contribution of different psychological trends, it is possible to establish appropriate treatment methods and a classification or an explanation for "abnormal" behaviors.
Finally, at present, there are scientific methods and comprehensive methods for these behaviors that are unusual, and there is a growth of tools based on criteria that indicate what are the indications of these behaviors (Rivera, 2020). Current psychology has established that psychological disorder is an illness characterized by the existence of abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Maristany, 2019). However, according to Maristany (2019), here we fall into the same thing: what is abnormal?
To answer this question, the science of the human mind has developed manuals such as the DSM-5 or ICD - 11 (Maristany, 2019). Both writings consist of standardized levels of diagnostic criteria. The purpose is to distinguish normal behaviors and symptoms from abnormal behaviors or symptoms, preferably "pathological" behaviors. Although the task of defining these two terms is cumbersome, according to Maristany (2019), it is important that certain parameters exist in order to identify and help people who may be suffering from mental illness.
However, in the DSM-5, there is no definition of normality and abnormality (Maristany, 2019). The function of the manual is to specify the type of mental disorder in order to identify "abnormal" symptoms or behaviors that may indicate a certain type of disorder. According to Maristany (2019), it is important to realize that the definitions of these two terms have changed over time and should continue to do so, since society and concepts continue to evolve, and the parameters must take this into account.
References
Butcher, J., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. (2007). Psicología clínica (12a. ed.). Distrito Federal: Pearson Educación.
Huenchucona, Y. (2021). Contacto a los conceptos: normalidad- anormalidad. Al Poniente. Recuperado 4 September 2021, a partir de https://alponiente.com/contacto-a-los-conceptos-normalidad-anormalidad/
Maristany, A. (2019). ¿Qué es lo “normal” y “anormal” para la Psicología?. Psicólogos Córdoba. Recuperado 26 November 2020, a partir de https://psicologoscordoba.org/normal-anormal-psicologia/
Orozco, S. (2014). Vista de Normalidad y anormalidad psicológica y niveles de prevención. Revistas.udea.edu.co. Recuperado 4 September 2021, a partir de https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/Psyconex/article/view/22445/18579
Rivera, A. (2020). Conceptos de anormalidad y normalidad en el ejercicio de la psicología clínica. Recuperado 26 November 2020, a partir de https://cdn.goconqr.com/uploads/media/pdf_media/21074063/7f6fe581-7a83-405d-9950-7746a7bef6e3.pdf
Sanfeliciano, A. (2018). ¿Qué significa la normalidad?. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 4 September 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/que-significa-la-normalidad/
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