The Mask Of Normalcy

Psychologists view well-adjusted behaviour as conformity?the ability to navigate relationships and events within a framework of societal rules and regulations. George Serban argues that a better test is how well an individual is able to navigate adverse situations by handling conformity's ambiguities and incongruities. He uses clinical findings and content analysis to explore the interface between social conformity and nonconformist behaviours.The definition of the normal is itself problematic, since society's expectations are sometimes controversial, arbitrary, or equivocal. As a result, people who have problems coping with social conformity choose between degrees of nonconformity or hiding under what Serban calls a "mask of normalcy." Further complicating matters is that some nonconformist attitudes are now seen as normal, supported by governmental policies tacitly favouring moral relativism. A multicultural society is crisscrossed by shades of controversial values and mores. New social codes of "correct" conduct blur the distinction between true and false, right and wrong; and social conflict simmers as a result.What society perceives as well adjusted may even change within a society over time, depending on prevailing social values. Some noticeable variations have been within male-female relationships and sexual morality. Serban ultimately concludes that those who have learned how to manipulate social situations are viewed as well adjusted. Those who have not are seen as struggling or maladjusted.

Psychologists view well-adjusted behavior as conformity--the ability to navigate relationships and events within a framework of societal rules and regulations. George Serban argues that a better test is how well an individual is able to navigate adverse situations by handling conformity's ambiguities and incongruities. He uses clinical findings and content analysis to explore the interface between social conformity and nonconformist behaviors. The definition of the normal is itself problematic, since society's expectations are sometimes controversial, arbitrary, or equivocal. As a result, people who have problems coping with social conformity choose between degrees of nonconformity or hiding under what Serban calls a "mask of normalcy." Further complicating matters is that some nonconformist attitudes are now seen as normal, supported by governmental policies tacitly favoring moral relativism. A multicultural society is crisscrossed by shades of controversial values and mores. New social codes of "correct" conduct blur the distinction between true and false, right and wrong; and social conflict simmers as a result. What society perceives as well adjusted may even change within a society over time, depending on prevailing social values. Some noticeable variations have been within male-female relationships and sexual morality. Serban ultimately concludes that those who have learned how to manipulate social situations are viewed as well adjusted. Those who have not are seen as struggling or maladjusted.

Originally published in 1941 under the title Mask of Sanity: An Attempt to Clarify Some Issues About the So-Called Psychopathic Personality, this influential book became a landmark in psychiatric case studies and was repeatedly revised, expanded and reprinted in subsequent editions—here we present the 3rd edition published in 1955. The Mask of Sanity is distinguished by its central thesis that the psychopath exhibits normal function according to standard psychiatric criteria, yet privately engages in destructive behavior. The book was intended to assist with detection and diagnosis of the elusive psychopath for purposes of palliation and offered no cure for the condition itself. The idea of a master deceiver secretly possessed of no moral or ethical restraints, yet behaving in public with excellent function, electrified American society and led to heightened interest in both psychological introspection and the detection of hidden psychopaths in society at large, leading to a refinement of the word itself into what was perceived to be a less stigmatizing term, “sociopath”.

Psychologists view well-adjusted behaviour as conformity�the ability to navigate relationships and events within a framework of societal rules and regulations. George Serban argues that a better test is how well an individual is able to navigate adverse situations by handling conformity's ambiguities and incongruities. He uses clinical findings and content analysis to explore the interface between social conformity and nonconformist behaviours. The definition of the normal is itself problematic, since society's expectations are sometimes controversial, arbitrary, or equivocal. As a result, people who have problems coping with social conformity choose between degrees of nonconformity or hiding under what Serban calls a "mask of normalcy." Further complicating matters is that some nonconformist attitudes are now seen as normal, supported by governmental policies tacitly favouring moral relativism. A multicultural society is crisscrossed by shades of controversial values and mores. New social codes of "correct" conduct blur the distinction between true and false, right and wrong; and social conflict simmers as a result. What society perceives as well adjusted may even change within a society over time, depending on prevailing social values. Some noticeable variations have been within male-female relationships and sexual morality. Serban ultimately concludes that those who have learned how to manipulate social situations are viewed as well adjusted. Those who have not are seen as struggling or maladjusted.

A peek behind the mask of normalcy I wear to hide my true self from others. A glimpse in the mirror to see who I really am.

First published in 1941, "The Mask of Sanity: An Attempt to Clarify Some Issues About the So-Called Psychopathic Personality" by Hervey M. Cleckley, an American psychiatrist, is considered to be the most important work on psychopathology of the twentieth-century. Cleckley based his work on clinical interviews with patients in mental institutions and continued to edit and revise his seminal work throughout the years. The title "The Mask of Sanity" refers to Cleckley's description of the psychopath as living behind a mask of normalcy, which makes the disorder very difficult to recognize and diagnosis. They may appear engaging, intelligent, charming, and sincere but behind this façade of a normal, functioning person they are severely mentally disordered and chaotic. Cleckley was the first to recognize the psychopath's lack of genuine emotion that stems from a serious and uncontrolled neuropsychiatric defect. Cleckley's work is startlingly insightful and his outline of the basic elements of psychopathology remains relevant nearly eighty years later. While highly controversial when it was first published, Cleckley's exhaustive research and the fascinating case studies he explores in detail make "The Mask of Sanity" an indispensable guide for both professionals and lay people alike who wish to better understand psychopathology. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The second book by prize-winning Japanese novelist Fuminori Nakamura to be available in English translation, a follow-up to 2012's critically acclaimed The Thief─another fantastically creepy, electric literary thriller that explores the limits of human depravity─and the powerful human instinct to resist evil. When Fumihiro Kuki is eleven years old, his elderly, enigmatic father calls him into his study for a meeting. "I created you to be a cancer on the world," his father tells him. It is a tradition in their wealthy family: a patriarch, when reaching the end of his life, will beget one last child to cause misery in a world that cannot be controlled or saved. From this point on, Fumihiro will be specially educated to learn to create as much destruction and unhappiness in the world around him as a single person can. Between his education in hedonism and his family's resources, Fumihiro's life is one without repercussions. Every door is open to him, for he need obey no laws and may live out any fantasy he might have, no matter how many people are hurt in the process. But as his education progresses, Fumihiro begins to question his father's mandate, and starts to resist.

Set amid the beginning turmoil of New York's COVID crisis, Beyond the Mask is a fictional psychological chronicle of six health care workers in a callous city hospital system. Maureen is a jaded veteran nurse about to retire. Michael is a dedicated ER nurse for whom family is everything. Ethan is a young nursing assistant, nursing student, and recovering addict, ready to embark on his next chapter helping people get well. Sandy is a newbie nurse getting her bearings in unforgiving surroundings, wondering if she's really in the right place. Kyle is an x-ray tech who knows his job inside out until its requirements change before his eyes. Fran is an orthopedic nurse who came to her work as a single mother so as to better provide for her young developmentally challenged son. In this ripped-from-the-headlines drama, six colleagues confront the failures of body and state up close. Beyond the Mask puts us not just in the room with health-care workers but in their heads, giving voice to conflicts, doubts, and desires unique to their calling in present-day America.

As we enter the second year of COVID in the United States, many of you may think we'll never get a grasp on the pandemic. With a constant barrage of scary COVID news, some of which is misinformation, many people are disillusioned or suffer from downright paralysis and worry that we'll never get back to normal. Director of Body and Mind Medical Center in Chicago, Dr. Dominic Gaziano provides you with the well-researched information you need to protect you and your loved ones in the waning pandemic as well as a pathway to achieve a new normal. With a true understanding of what we're up against, communal persistence and timely action, he knows we can and will defeat COVID. In A Doctor's Guide from Pandemic to New Normal, Dr. G goes over: - 19 reasons you should get the COVID-19 vaccination - What is immunity and why herd immunity is so important - The vaccine development process, specifically for COVID-19 - How COVID affects our bodies - Tip on COVID prevention strategies and embracing a COVID prevention lifestyle - A pathway towards a better and healthier post-COVID world We must practice new health habits to continue the process of rebuilding our communities, businesses, and lives. By understanding these key concepts in this book and sharing this newfound knowledge with your loved ones, friends, coworkers, and neighbors, we can evolve to a new normal which is better informed, safer, and healthier.