Normativity Standard

[DISCLAIMER]

A standard is something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example. A norm is an authoritative standard; a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior.

Regarding what is considered a normative standard, the American Psychological Association (APA) states that such elements serve as a “comparison for a person or group of people, often as determined by cultural ideals regarding behavior, achievements or abilities, and other concerns.”

Similarly, the APA defines normal as “relating to what is considered standard, average, typical, or healthy.” Given these definitions, a separate source defines normativity thusly:

Normativity is the phenomenon in human societies of designating some actions or outcomes as good, desirable, or permissible, and others as bad, undesirable, or impermissible. A norm in this sense means a standard for evaluating or making judgments about behavior or outcomes.

“Normative” is sometimes also used, somewhat confusingly, to mean relating to a descriptive standard: doing what is normally done or what most others are expected to do in practice. In this sense a norm is not evaluative, a basis for judging behavior or outcomes; it is simply a fact or observation about behavior or outcomes, without judgment.

Many researchers in science, law, and philosophy try to restrict the use of the term “normative” to the evaluative sense and refer to the description of behavior and outcomes as positive, descriptive, predictive, or empirical.

The APA defines evaluative ratings as “scores reflecting individuals’ judgments of the aesthetic or other qualities of a group of objects. Evaluative ratings may be based on hedonic values, such as the relative pleasantness of a set of paintings, on the relative complexity of a series of patterns, or on other factors.”

Given the descriptions outlined thus far, a normativity standard is essentially a mechanism of subjective judgment serving as a custom of acceptable or unacceptable behavior which is determined by a particular entity. Perhaps a pragmatic example of this standard is in order. Per one source:

Tim Walz’s daughter issued a blistering attack on Joe Rogan and his supporters, calling the podcaster a ‘liar’ who ‘puts out misinformation.’ Hope Walz, 24, recently shared a video of herself slamming Rogan, 58, and his followers who she considers bad people. […]

The influencer, who’s grown famous on TikTok following her father’s failed bid to become the US vice president, said she and her friends consider a man a ‘red flag’ if they follow Rogan on social media. The term is used to describe negative attributes that might make people steer clear of someone else, especially when it comes to romantic relationships.

‘A litmus test for me and my friends for like years now has been if the guy we’re talking to follows Joe Rogan on Instagram, they’re a red flag and we should probably stop talking to them,’ Hope said. The Democrat’s daughter went on to discuss what has happened in the past when her friends chose not to let a man go if they follow the podcaster, adding that the tactic has ‘never failed us.’

‘And the times when they do follow him on Instagram and we haven’t stopped talking to them, which was in the past obviously – it’s never ended well. So yeah, I just want to say that I stand by that.

‘It’s literally never failed us and at this point it’s like the first thing we do when someone starts talking to a new person. If they follow him, we’re like yeah this person probably isn’t a great person.

Hope Walz’s reported “red flag” normativity standard uses what’s known in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) as demandingness. Specifically, she ostensibly expressed an absolutistic should belief (i.e., “they’re a red flag and we should probably stop talking to them”).

One of four major irrational beliefs recognized in REBT theory, demandingness – when pair with Walz’s normativity standard – sets a prescriptive obligation upon which people should act. In this example, Walz’s friends are apparently obligated not to associate with Rogan followers.

This is irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason), because although the standard may be logical (e.g., a modus ponens syllogism: if p, then q; p; therefore, q) it isn’t reasonable (a statement offered in explanation or justification).

As an example, if Walz and her friends determine that Rogan followers are unacceptable (p), then these individuals aren’t “great” people (q). Walz and her friend determine that Rogan followers are unacceptable (p). Therefore, these individuals aren’t “great” people (q).

Aside from the demandingness script which follows from this form of logic, the proposition uses a second of the four major irrational beliefs recognized in REBT theory: global evaluation. This form of other-downing occurs when Walz and her friends appraise Rogan follows as not “great.”

Suppose that John Doe follows Rogan, volunteers at a local food pantry, remains active within a church congregation, has adopted pets, and saved a busload of orphans from tumbling over the side of a cliff. Too bad! He follows Rogan. Therefore, he isn’t a “great” person in the slightest!

Do you see how this “red flag” normativity standard isn’t rational? Even though it follows a logical form, it isn’t reasonable. Presuming you understand this psychoeducational lesson, I invite you to consider the normativity standards you use. Are they rational? If not, what can you do about that?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit (edited), fair use

References:

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Evaluative ratings. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/evaluative-ratings

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Burack, E. (2024, November 4). Meet Tim and Gwen Walz’s kids, Hope and Gus. Town & Country Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/a61868291/who-are-tim-walz-kids-hope-gus/

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