Whats the difference between abnormal and just weird behavior?
Tough question. Most cultures have well-defined norms about what is acceptable and normal. Mental health specialists are trained to make important judgments about just how abnormal a behavior must be before other consequence, such as incarceration or commitment, are required. Sometimes it can be a fine line in a society that places high value on individuality to determine when eccentric crosses the line to undesirable. In addition, cultures regularly shift in their definitions of what is weird or abnormal. For example, the practice of having various body parts pierced is a popular one with many young Americans but was virtually unheard of twenty years ago. Therefore, many older Americans tend to think the practice is more abnormal than weird whereas many young Americans think it is just weird enough.
