... perversion, a criminal offence, whereas in others it is tolerated. Yet in the Diagnostics and Statistics manual III (1973), it was classed as a mental illness. Adolphe Quetelet (Belgium 1796-1874) developed the 'Normal Distribution Curve'. A Statistical Approach to normality. His theory was that if the height of 68% of people is around 5ft 8inches, then that was the 'normal height'. To be above or below, was abnormal. This curve was also applied to mental characteristics. Therefore, his belief was to define normal as the vast majority, and behaviour that is statistically uncommon as abnormal. But, as quoted by Nicky Hayes (1984), "The trouble with trying to define abnormality in this way is that the definition would include people who are uncommon, but highly regarded. For instance, people who are intelligent, or highly talented are statistically uncommon, but wouldn't be what we mean by abnormal". Most people with a high ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now