"Normal"?
Context Matters
Live Class Discussion
What is "Normal"?
nor·mal
ˈnôrməl/
adjective
conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
"it's quite normal for puppies to bolt their food"
synonyms: usual, standard, ordinary, customary, conventional, habitual, accustomed, expected, wonted
How do you decide what "normal" is?
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Normal Curve of Distribution
Inheritable Traits
Normal or Abnormal?
Read the following statements and consider whether these people would or would not be considered “normal”.
Sarah only bathes once or twice a month.
Tom, a grown man, has sexual relations with a teenage girl.
Young Mary frequently walks around balancing objects on her head.
Katherine does not speak in the presence of males and never makes eye contact.
John never wears clothing.
Every time Lewis loses a tooth, he climbs up a ladder and dutifully places it on the roof of his house.
In response to her cousin’s death, Olivia amputated her own finger.
Think about it...
One might say that all of the above persons described would be considered abnormal or having abnormal behaviors. Change the context. Instead of thinking about these individuals in the context of modern American culture, think about whether or not these people would be considered normal in say Indonesian tribal culture, Middle-Eastern culture, or maybe even Greek culture. When the context is changed, the above described people are considered perfectly normal. Every single one of the described behaviors is considered "normal" in another culture.
Reflect
The following is a poem written by Jordyn's cousin when he was young:
Living with Aspergers
By Adam Kunkel
Aspergers, would you know it if you saw it?
Aspergers
A unique brand of Autism,
It’s distinct for every person,
No two Aspies* are the same.
Anxiety
Certain irrational fears, such as being wrong,
Stressed out when under pressure.
Have you noticed?
Lack of focus
Can’t focus on one thing for long periods of time,
It takes forever to write a story (or a poem).
Have you noticed?
Reciprocal conversation difficulties
Couldn’t have a continuous conversation to save a life,
Difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings.
Have you noticed?
Social challenges
Incredibly shy when around new people,
Hard to make new friends, but old friends stay forever.
Have you noticed?
Perfectionism
Won’t stop until everything is perfect,
It takes a while to be perfect, and trouble often ensues.
Have you noticed?
Intelligence
Not likely to score below an A in school,
May be smart, but has little common sense.
Have you noticed?
Advanced analytical skills
Very problem solving oriented, extremely logical,
Concrete thinker, hands on type of person.
Have you noticed?
Hyper focused
When focused on something, you can’t pull them away.
Oblivious to the world, everything else is blocked out.
Have you noticed?
Aspergers
A gift or a curse?
Some may say it’s the latter,
But I know the truth,
It’s the first.
Aspergers, would you have noticed that I have it?
*Person with Aspergers
Once we've defined "normal", everything else is abnormal.
EUGENICS
eu·gen·ics
[yoo-jen-iks] Show IPAnoun ( used with a singular verb )
the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a humanpopulation, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects orpresumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction bypersons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)
Origin:
1880–85; see eugenics, -ics
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Winfield, A. G. (2007). Eugenics and Education in America: Institutionalized Racism and the Implications of History, Ideology, and Memory: Vol. 18. A Book Series of Curriculum Studies (W. F. Pinar, Ed.). New York: Peter Lang.
Segregated classrooms vs. Inclusive classrooms --- Think about it.
Watch the Following Short Clip
Think...
Students are often pulled out of class, by a complete stranger, and given a series of questions to answer within a designated time limit. These questions will often determine if the student belongs in special education and IQ tests are used to sort students according to ability level. However, these tests do not take context into account, such as the students’ culture, necessary accommodations, test taking skills, or just nervousness.
IQ Interrogation
You are a young child. You have been pulled out of your classroom, an environment you felt comfortable in, and taken to a room in an office in a part of the building you may never have been in before. You like your teacher but the person who took you is a stranger you have never seen before. They intimidate you. They tell you that they are going to ask you questions and give you tests. You wonder why you have to take these tests, and you worry because you didn't get a chance to study.
You no longer feel comfortable. You no longer feel safe. You feel like you might even be in trouble. You're worried. You're scared. And you can't even think straight.
How could you possibly answer the questions?
How could you possibly meet their standards?
This situation is not "normal" for you.
How could you possibly be "normal"?