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 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.

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.

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.

Discover the chilling true story of Dennis Rader, better known as the BTK Killer, in this gripping account of his heinous crimes and the impact he had on the community of Wichita. From the emergence of the BTK to the taunting letters sent to the press, the book explores the killer's dark childhood and the psychological analysis behind his actions. As the community lives in fear, the police hunt for clues, leading to unexpected revelations and a shocking arrest. Through the trial and chilling revelations, the book delves into the motives and rationalizations behind the BTK's crimes, leaving unanswered questions and a long-lasting legacy of fear. This true crime account uncovers the hidden crimes and mysteries surrounding the BTK killer and sheds light on the impact he had on both the victims' families and the true crime genre itself.

What explains the huge popular following for Dexter, currently the most-watched show on cable, which sympathetically depicts a serial killer driven by a cruel compulsion to brutally slay one victim after another? Although Dexter Morgan kills only killers, he is not a vigilante animated by a sense of justice but a charming psychopath animated by a lust to kill, ritualistically and bloodily. However his gory appetite is controlled by “Harry’s Code,” which limits his victims to those who have gotten away with murder, and his job as a blood spatter expert for the Miami police department gives him the inside track on just who those legitimate targets may be. In Dexter and Philosophy, an elite team of philosophers don their rubber gloves and put Dexter’s deeds under the microscope. Since Dexter is driven to ritual murder by his “Dark Passenger,” can he be blamed for killing, especially as he only murders other murderers? Does Dexter fit the profile of the familiar fictional type of the superhero? What part does luck play in making Dexter who he is? How and why are horror and disgust turned into aesthetic pleasure for the TV viewer? How essential is Dexter’s emotional coldness to his lust for slicing people up? Are Dexter’s lies and deceptions any worse than the lies and deceptions of the non-criminals around him? Why does Dexter long to be a normal human being and why can’t he accomplish this apparently simple goal?

Jayaraj.V. Thoppil hails from God's own country and presently lives in Millenium city of India. His debut work 'Alcohol', published by Frog Books, uncovers the unknown dimensions of every alcoholic, Later while launching its second edition, it was renamed 'One Pint of Cheers' by Tate Publishers, USA. Notion Books launched its third edition in India. His recent offer to the literary world 'Bluebook of Transitory Souls', a mystery fiction, was published by Leadstart Publishing in 2020 and continues mesmerizing readers across the globe. Currently, he serves in the foremost automobile company in the country as a quality control professional. His unquenched passion for creative writing and fine art finally led him to the literary world. He indulges in reading, sketching, music, and playing badminton during most of his leisure hours. He is married to Sumini Jayaraj, a proactive health professional in Ayurveda and an aspiring singer. Keep in touch with Jayaraj via the web: Website: https://www.jayaraj v thoppil.com Facebooke: http://www.facebook.com/jayaraj v thoppil Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jayarajvthoppil Instagram: httphs://www.instgram.com/jayarajvthoppil Tumblr: https://jayaraj-v-thoppil.tumblr.com/

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.