... which was until fairly recently classed as a form, of abnormality in America, but was praised and seen as a means to a good life in many ancient cultures. In some Native American tribes this practise was also accepted and honoured. Mental abnormality e.g. regarding I.Q. and mental retardation appears to be statistically infrequent in some ethnic/ racial groups as their personality traits and behaviour patterns do not fall within the normal distribution, so are therefore statistically rare and are classed as abnormal. However, this diagnosis of abnormality may be classed as normal in their own culture. Deviation from social norms (implicit rules about how we should behave in society) e.g. phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders as a definition of abnormality can be classed as inaccurate when it is applied across cultures. This is because phobias are learnt and social norms change over time rather than being fixed and unchangeable for example ...

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