Is there such a thing as normality?

[Joseph41]

In terms of personalities/people.

I know there are a number of theories surrounding normality/abnormality, but what are your thoughts?

I was listening to a podcast earlier today on personality types, which prompted this thread. Would you consider yourself normal? Is it a cline?

[Bri MT]

I think normality does exist, but it is context dependent and rarely achieved in a single individual. I wouldn't consider myself normal, and I doubt that many people would consider themselves normal.
There are, however, times when my traits and/or behaviours are more normal in a particular context than another's traits and/or behaviours.

[Joseph41]

I think normality does exist, but it is context dependent and rarely achieved in a single individual. I wouldn't consider myself normal, and I doubt that many people would consider themselves normal.
There are, however, times when my traits and/or behaviours are more normal in a particular context than another's traits and/or behaviours.

What is it about yourself you don't consider normal?

[heids]

I definitely see it as a continuum - like, each general "characteristic" (openness, warmth, mathematical intelligence, etc, whatever you want) is a sort of bell curve.  The majority sits in the middle, so yes, the further you sit from the centre, the less normal you are in that characteristic. 

I feel I'm more thoughtful and introspective (to a fault lol), and less tolerant of shallowness and the status quo and socialising, than is perhaps normal... but still see myself as normal compared with the rest of my family

[sarangiya]

I don't really think so.
I guess normality implies a majority or an average which I don't think exists in terms of people or personalities.
A teacher at our school once talked about "the average Australian household" which she thought to be a mother and a father with two children and a mortgaged house. But in reality, this "normal household" is not that common at all.
As for personalities, the statistics for MBTI frequencies (not that MBTI typing is really accurate anyway) show that ISFJ is the "majority"... but represent only 13.4%. I don't think 13.4% represents any kind of average or commonality in a group.
Classification aside, our experiences as people are so varied that surely none of it is normal. Someone who seems perfectly average may have a silent illness, or a financially disadvantaged background, or have indigenous ancestry - none of which are considered "normal".
I definitely don't count myself, or any other person, as normal!

[EEEEEEP]

In terms of personalities/people.

I know there are a number of theories surrounding normality/abnormality, but what are your thoughts?

I was listening to a podcast earlier today on personality types, which prompted this thread. Would you consider yourself normal? Is it a cline?

Me, normal..... nah never. Never known the meaning of normal .

I've always been a bit inside the world of my head, over analytical  and a bit introverted haha.  I also find a tad closed off from (most not all) people :')

In saying that.... my definition of "normal" is relatively free of any issues, extroverted and a social being , hHAHA (totally based off what others think around me)

[heids]

"normal" is relatively free of any issues, extroverted and a social being , hHAHA (totally based off what others think around me)

I wonder if this is really normal... I guess everyone has issues and genuine extroversion is rarer than is presented (after all, introverts are better at faking extroversion than vice versa). 

Typically extroverted and happy is the mask most people present when socialising even if it's a complete lie about who they are, because that's what society says is good and makes you likeable.

[zofromuxo]

I think normality exists, but like heids has stated about it being on a "continuum" I too agree with this.
However, I think normality constantly changes, I mean a good relevant example is the change of attitudes on same-sex. It used to be classed as a mental illness in the DSM till 1973. So I think in a way "normality" exists, but isn't some rock solid state but rather a little bit floating in a way.

[Bri MT]

What is it about yourself you don't consider normal?

Too many things to list them all but a few examples are:
-having a clearly defined hierarchy of values since primary school
-having never required hospitalisation
-not believing that family is more important than friends
-liking public speaking
-having different coloured eyes (it's not obvious, but it is noticeable)

[zofromuxo]

-liking public speaking

I'm not alone, I have found someone who likes public speaking .
*internet high-five*