Difference between revisions of "Hypernormalization"

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==About==
 
==About==
[[Hypernormalization]] is a [[logical fallacy]] of the general form:
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[[Hypernormalization]] is a [[logical fallacy]] about [[normal]]ity. It takes the general form:
# All members of group X have attribute Y.
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:'''A.''' All members of group X have attribute Y.
# Having attribute Y is an essential part of the nature of group X.
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:'''B.''' Having attribute Y is an essential part of the nature of group X.
# Person Z is a member of group X.
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:'''C.''' Person Z is a member of group X.
# If person Z does not have attribute Y, this indicates that person Z is damaged or flawed in some critical way.
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:'''D.''' If person Z does not have attribute Y, this indicates that person Z is damaged or flawed in some critical way.
  
The logical fallacy lies in the fact that if person Z does ''not'' have attribute Y, this is proof that either they are not actually a member of group X (a point which is generally not in contention) or else the rule expressed in points 1 and 2 is actually false.
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The logical fallacy lies in the fact that if person Z does ''not'' have attribute Y, this is proof that either they are not actually a member of group X or else the rule expressed in points A and B is actually false.
  
In other words,[[hypernormalization]] is the [[stigmatization]] of perceived abnormality: any personal attribute which does not fit within the observer's idea of reality indicates a flaw in the observed person, rather than a flaw in a rule believed by the observer.
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In other words,[[hypernormalization]] is the [[stigmatization]] of perceived ab[[normal]]ity: any personal attribute which does not fit within the observer's [[interpretive framing|framing]] of what is acceptable is positioned as indicating ''a flaw in the observed person'', rather than ''a (possible) flaw in the observer's understanding''.
  
 
===Usage===
 
===Usage===
 
Hypernormalization arguments are used to enforce behavior or rules desired by the speaker. Members of group X will be motivated to conform with rule 1 by the fear of being ostracized, while non-members will feel more free to repeat rule 1 as fact and ostracize members of group X who do not display attribute Y.
 
Hypernormalization arguments are used to enforce behavior or rules desired by the speaker. Members of group X will be motivated to conform with rule 1 by the fear of being ostracized, while non-members will feel more free to repeat rule 1 as fact and ostracize members of group X who do not display attribute Y.
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One of the most frequent uses of hypernormalization is in the social enforcement of [[gender role]]s and [[gender essentialism]].
 
==Related==
 
==Related==
 
* [[Hypernormalization]] is a form of [[overgeneralization]].
 
* [[Hypernormalization]] is a form of [[overgeneralization]].
 
* [[Hypernormalization]] is a form of [[emotional argument]]. (If the listener is a member of group X, then it may activate their sense of insecurity; if the listener is not a member of group X, then it may activate a rewarding feeling of superiority.)
 
* [[Hypernormalization]] is a form of [[emotional argument]]. (If the listener is a member of group X, then it may activate their sense of insecurity; if the listener is not a member of group X, then it may activate a rewarding feeling of superiority.)

Revision as of 18:59, 9 August 2020

About

Hypernormalization is a logical fallacy about normality. It takes the general form:

A. All members of group X have attribute Y.
B. Having attribute Y is an essential part of the nature of group X.
C. Person Z is a member of group X.
D. If person Z does not have attribute Y, this indicates that person Z is damaged or flawed in some critical way.

The logical fallacy lies in the fact that if person Z does not have attribute Y, this is proof that either they are not actually a member of group X or else the rule expressed in points A and B is actually false.

In other words,hypernormalization is the stigmatization of perceived abnormality: any personal attribute which does not fit within the observer's framing of what is acceptable is positioned as indicating a flaw in the observed person, rather than a (possible) flaw in the observer's understanding.

Usage

Hypernormalization arguments are used to enforce behavior or rules desired by the speaker. Members of group X will be motivated to conform with rule 1 by the fear of being ostracized, while non-members will feel more free to repeat rule 1 as fact and ostracize members of group X who do not display attribute Y.

One of the most frequent uses of hypernormalization is in the social enforcement of gender roles and gender essentialism.

Related