How do you define the term "normal"?

Answer 1

The model of normality is a dictatorship of a social majority...Societies changing, model of normality changing accordingly.Definition would be: "normal" is a objective model manifesting out of currently existing subjective beliefs in social structures. I like your questions, Rebecca.

Answer 2

It's completely relative on the parameters of the extremes.

If there were blood-sucking aliens blocking the sun with their UFOs, it would be normal to be in the military, or live in a bunker.

And since the extreme "abnormal" cases are often hidden from one society to another---- what seems "normal" to some is an abomination to another.

The quest for normalcy is a middle-class virtue
But it cannot be defined within that mindfucked desire.
It comes from the leaders who act the part of
normal, everyday, citizen.
Which is essentially pandering, a psychological tactic to
MAKE that which is obscene-- the body politic in their vicious ignorance-- believe without understanding the world of discourse as offered.

Answer 3

There really is no "normal" Rebbecca. We can say that is a situation, action, or person that stays within set parameters. The problem comes when you look at the parameters. They can move, be made arbitrarily, or be unreasonable. An example would be an uptight society. If uptight society sets parameters that would be unreasonable like men and women couldn't have sex, that would be unreasonable. It's going to happen regardless of the parameters being set. Are the people that had sex not "normal", by definition, yes.

So, there is no normal really. I guess if pressed for an answer "normal" for a person to me is "living, loving, be productive, and don't hurt anyone." and most everything will be okay.

Tom

Answer 4

In behavior, normal means not deviating very much from the average. "Not normal" is often used in a negative sense (improper, sick, etc.). Abnormality varies greatly in how pleasant or unpleasant this is for other people; somebody may half-jokingly be called "pleasantly disturbed". Examples of "normality" are mainstream, stability, reality, peace, health, middle way.

Some terms could fit in both lists, for example boredom: too much "normality" can be boring, but boredom is a kind of suffering, which can be considered "not normal".

Answer 5

According to society, the word normal means acting like everyone else. If you don't behave in the same manner as everyone else, you are not considered "normal". But like my son says, "Normal is a setting on a dryer and has nothing to do with human behavior."

Answer 6

Normal is a term for something that most of the people accepts as normal or something that is not unusual. But, there is milion of individual meanings of normal.

Answer 7

Normal is opinion.

Normal should be the thing people use to associate with others, because they see some of themselves (normal to them) in that other person.

If I like anime, I think that's normal. So I associate myself with other "normal" people that like anime.

Answer 8

I hate that word. There is no such thing as normal. Dr. Phil said normal was if it didn't cause any harm or distress to anyone.

Answer 9

Normal is a personal thing. Normal is what is usual for you, though it may appear unusual or abnormal to another person.

Answer 10

I think a good definition of normal would be "that which is acceptable by society at large."