A Study of Normal

January 24, 1985

Copyright © 1997 Property of Deborah K. Fletcher. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Normal is a non-existent psychological state. Normal behavior for one individual may be abnormal behavior for another. Even the people who teach or practice psychology have trouble when they are asked to state a clear-cut definition of "normal" behavior.

The guidelines for normal behavior are usually set by a group. When a behavioral trait does not conform to the most common behavioral patterns of a group, it is termed "abnormal." it is seldom, if ever, taken into account that the "abnormal" behavior might actually be normal for the individual. This will be more fully illustrated in a later section.

Normal by Conditioning

An individual may be termed normal according to his usual, and often unconscious, reactions to given conditions.

In a study done by watson and Rayner in 1920, a small child was taught to fear a white rat. Each time the child approached the rat, a frightening sound was produced by the experimenters. This agonizing noise became associated with a proximity to the white rat. Soon, the child began to fear the rat, and also similar objects. (1)

This child was considered abnormal because he did not conform to the standards of behavior dictated by the psychologists in our society. However, this behavior would not be abnormal. The child would be abnormal if he did not fear the white rat after being conditioned to associate it with a loud and fearful noise.

If, however, the child had received a pice of candy, or a word of praise each time he went near the rat, he should have come to associate the rat with pleasurable experiences. If that child, who had no reason to fear the rat, suddenly began to fear it, he would then be behaving abnormally. according to the standards of society, however, he would be behaving normally.

This backward-turning logic, which allows a society to determine the ways of the individual, is false. Society is determined by the behavior of individuals. We are not a group entity. The way each group of persons behave is not set by one or two other persons. Presidents, kings, and dictators usually comprise the group of individuals who set the standard for society, which sets the standard for individuals.

Studies in "Normal" Behavior

Study One: Contrast of Behavior for Sharon and Deborah Fletcher

Sharon and Deborah Fletcher are each normal in their own right. each follows a pedictable pattern of habits, hobbies, likes, dislikes, and small idiosyncrasies. However, each is abnormal by the other's definition.

For Sharon Fletcher, normal behavior means rising before dawn every day of her life; reading Gothic novels, listening to Broadway musicals on cassettes; playing Frogger and Q- Bert; and getting to bed by 8:00 or 9:00 at night.

For Deborah Fletcher, normal behavior means sleeping as late as possible whenever possible; reading science fiction and fantasy novels; listening to Simon and Garfunkle cassettes; watching soap operas, Star Trek, and game shows; and staying up until midnight whenever possible.

As has been stated, each of these persons considers her behavior normal. Would it be normal, however, if they suddenly reversed roles? No, it would not. Each would then be behaving abnormally. Of course, this allows for the fact that Deborah is a high school student and cannot keep the hours she normally would if she were not affected by society. On the same note, Sharon often has to stay up until 10:00 or 11:00 because her daughter goes out and she (Sharon) waits up. Normal behavior is often that behavior which is exhibited naturally, rather than that which is forced upon the individual by society.

It has been stated that Sharon and Deborah are normal on an individual level. are they normal on a societal level? that seems to depend upon the society. we will decide whether an individual's behavior is societally normal in a later section.

Study Two: Behavior of Kimberly Lerzo

Kimberly Lerzo believes herself to be normal. She behaves in a manner which is customary and expected. However, she is not normal by the standards of many people in society.

Kimberly is very shy. She dresses conservatively. She spends a good deal of her leisure time reading and writing. Her manners are neat and polite. She is a very good student.

It would be considered normal for Kimberly to wear dress jeans and a patterned sweater to schol, get several high grades while there, speak politely to the principal, and read during her study period. If she had a substitute teacher, Kimberly probably would not initiate a conversation with her.

The same behavior might be considered abnormal by a person who habitually wore punk clothing, spent her leisure time with a number of different boys, failed many of her classes, and would curse at the principal if she saw him.

Actually, both girls may be both normal and abnormal; they are normal on an individual level, but they may be abnormal on a societal level.

Morning Behavior - a Hypothetical Case

"It is five fifty-nine on a Tuesday morning. Mr. Smith is asleep. He does not have a reason to be awake. The clock reaches 6:00 and Mr. Smith's alarm clock rings.

"Mr. Smith rolls over, slaps the alarm button, and peers at the clock. He decides that it really is time to wake up and get out of bed.

"He walks across the rug to the open bathroom door. Going in, he turns on the tap and picks up his toothbrush. He brushes his teeth with a methodic, up and down motion. Then he puts down his toothbrush and turns on the hot water. He shaves and dresses, choosing corduroy pants and a striped silk shirt.

"He then returns to the bedroom and chooses a tie; the choice is not difficult, as he only owns two.

"After straightening his tie, he goes downstairs to the dining room. He is the only one there. He always starts the day early so he can walk to the office, rather than drive.

"The waitress hands him a menu. He orders ham, eggs, rolls, and coffee. Then he picks up his newspapers and reads the headlines while he waits for his breakfast." (2)

This account of a morning's activities is purely hypothetical, but for some individuals it might be very real and definitely normal. It would, however, be considered abnormal by many others.

Societal Normalcy

According to definition, normalcy is determined on a societal level. According to another definition, "normal" is "conforming to what is standard or usual." (3) This second definition seems to indicate an individualized level of normalcy. I am, however, dealing with "normal" on a societal level in this section.

William Sheldon did a study of criminals in 1949. as a result of his study, he found that "a disproportionately high percentage of criminals had a stocky body type" and that "body type could be linked to criminality." (4) This study seems to have failed to take into account the large number of law-abiding citizens who also have a stocky body type. It also failed to take into account the large number of criminals who have a pleasing appearance. Doctor Sheldon's study seems to have been weighted in favour of Cesare Lombroso's idea that "criminals were biologically less advanced than law-abiding citizens." (5) It also seems to mirror Earnest Hooten's conclusion that "criminals were genetically and physically degenerate." (6)

By society's standards, the criminals are not normal, but citizens exactly similar to the criminals, except in occupation, are. This seems to indicate that society's views of normalcy may be tailored to exclude those who are considered to be unsavory.

Another case of society determining a groupeople to be abnormal is the case of the hippies. These individuals were very much concerned with finding themselves and divining the true nature of the universe. They were much more concerned with spiritual awareness than with material belongings. They preached the idea of loving everyone and trying to find true happiness. These behaviors were commonly considered abnormal.

Societally, these people were abnormal. They did not behave according to an established norm. They were termed abnormal because of this. (7)

A Behavioristic View of Normal

"... The savage believes that incantations can bring rain, good crops, good hunting, that an unfriendly voodoo doctor can bring disaster to a person or to a whole tribe; than an enemy who has obtained a nail paring or a lock of your hair can cast a harmful spell over you and control your actions ...." (8)

The preceeding passage is taken from John watson's view of man. It describes normal beliefs and behavior of a savage. Although such beliefs are normal for a savage, they are not normal for most New York businessmen. Such men would be considered abnormal in the extreme if they began casting spells in order to secure business deals, fearing barbers because they fear being controlled by the barbers, or cringing before what they believed to be the "evil eye."

Conclusion

Normality cannot be accurately defined for all people. A denition may be formed for societal normalcy, but nor for individual normalcy.

In my opinion, normalcy does not exist. Too many definitions formed by society are conflicting. A definition ought to be universally binding, and, therefore, a term such as "normal" cannot have a definition.

Definitions of "Normal"

1. Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary
according to, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle; regular

2. Oxford American Dictionary
conforming to what is standard or usual

3. The New American Webster Dictionary
conforming to a certain type of standard; regular; average

4. Webster's Dictionary
conforming to type or natural law

5. Webster's Practical Dictionary
according to an established norm, rule, or principle; conforming to a type or regular form; ordinary; analogical

Notes

1. Richard E. Diamond and R. J. Senter, Psychology: The Exploration of Human Behavior. (Glenview: Scott, Foresman, and Company, 1976), pp. 98-99.

2. A. T. Poffenberger, Principles of Applied Psychology. (New York: D. Appleton - Century Company, 1942), pp. 20-21.

3. Gorton Carruth et al., Oxford American Dictionary. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1980), p. 454.

4. David Popenoe, Sociology. (Enlewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1980), p. 222.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Gerald L. Hershey and James O. Lugo, Living Psychology. (London: The MacMillan Company, 1970), p. 150.

Bibliography

Allee, John Gage, Ph.D., ed., Webster's Dictionary. Springfield, Mass.: G&C Merriam Comany, 1967.

Carruth, Gorton; Ehrlich, Eugene; Flexner, Stuart Berg; and Hawkins, Joyce M., Oxford American Dictionary. New York: Oxford University Press, 1980.

diamond, Richard E., and Senter, R.J., Psychology: the Exploration of Human Behavior. Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1976.

Dockeray, Floyd C., Psychology. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1942.

Hershey, Gerald L., and Lugo, James O., Living Psychology. London: The Macmillan Company, 1970.

Morehead, Albert and Loy, ed., The New American Webster Dictionary. Chicago: New American Library, 1972.

Morse, William C., and Wingo, G. Mar, Psychology and Teaching. Second edition. Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1962.

Poffenberger, A.R., Principles of Applied Psychology. New York: D. Appleton - Century Company, 1942.

Popenoe, David, Sociology. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice - Hall, Inc., 1980.

Porter, Noah, D.D., L.L.D., Webster's Practical Dictionary. Springfield, Mass.: The Reilly and Britton Co., 1910.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, comp., Webster's seventh New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, Mass.: G&C Merriam Company, 1967.

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