What does normal really mean,who decides what is normal and abnormal xx?

Answer 1

We all decide what is normal based on our experience. If we see an apple tree bearing fruit in January we would think that fairly abnormal.
Normal is just our way to make our lives easier. If, for example, you are used to eating soup with a spoon, you would expect someone to give you a spoon if they gave you soup. If they gave you a fork, you would be surprised.
The same thing goes for normal behaviour and abnormal. This is the behaviour we expect most of the time from most people. However, some people don't behave like the majority and so we classify this behaviour as abnormal.
I'm being very sweeping with the above as there are many instances where normal behaviour in some societies or groups would be seen as abnormal in other societies or groups.

There is an expression- the exception which proves the rule.
Many people say this is a crazy expression. However, if you examine the verb "prove" it also means "test". If there are enough execptions which are testing the rule, then maybe the rule is wrong. The same can be said for normal. If there are enough exceptions to what is considered normal, maybe our perceptions need to be changed.

We should always be willing to change.

Answer 2

I don't think there is such a thing as "normal" or "abnormal" in definitive terms. It's all subjective (depends on other factors). I guess the closest you can come is when speaking statistically. You can say, for example, that out of 1000 people in a particular geographic area, 900 of them are under 6' tall. Therefore, in that town, it would be abnormal to be taller than 6'. Get it?

Answer 3

I guess society decides whats normal or abnormal..even though society is not always right...they call things or state thing abnormal just to fit in...its a part of like or of humans.no body wants to be picked on so they pick on others so that the attension is off them

Answer 4

You have to decide this one for yourself, altough normal is just what we ignore or dont tend to notice were as we acknowledge abnormal things, like for instance a leg missing from a person, there is a reason for this and we are not used to seeing it.

Answer 5

Normal is what is average, or what you consider to be normal. Abnormal is anything extreme or different from average. It is your own social circumstances and your own upbringing which determines the two.

Answer 6

Normal is a difficult thing to define.
I would say it's something that fits with the majority, or doesn't stick out too much.
Abnormal, is just a very very slim minority.

Answer 7

Normal is diffrent for everyone, but in my opinion it just means Average....like normal person means a person who does things the same as everyone else....and adnormal person is someone who would do something that people would'nt....

Answer 8

Both are subjective terms decided by society that can change over time

Answer 9

Politicians play a important role.

Answer 10

I guess when people say 'normal' they mean society's norm - what is widely believed to be 'normal'.