Eccentricity refers to odd or unusual behaviour of an individual, behaviour that departs from social norms or ‘normal’ ideals (Collins, 1990). Research in to eccentricity and eccentrics is scarce, but David Weeks, a clinical neurophysiologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, has spent numerous years studying over 1000 eccentrics from America and Britain to gain an insight into their personalities, behaviours and cognitions to try and gain more of an understanding of these different and unusual people. Eccentricity is often associated with genius, giftedness or extreme creativity (Wikipedia) and is not necessarily a negative thing even though society is ambivalent towards them (Eby). Eccentrics are considered to have a number of positive traits, are psychologically healthy and can contribute a great deal to society.
In his studies, Weeks has found at least 20 characteristics that contribute to an eccentric’s personality (Eby; Shepard, 1986). Their principle traits include:
- Nonconforming
- Creative
- Strongly motivated by curiosity
- Idealistic and
- An obsessive reoccupation with one or two subjects (Weeks & James, 1995).
Behaviour that is abnormal is seen to be violating social norms (Durand & Barlow, 2006) but ‘normal’ is a hard concept to define. What is normal is often determined by who is defining and is tied to judgements of a particular culture or society (mayoclinic). There is an over-emphasis placed on people to conform to the norms of their society (Hornsey, Majkut, Terry & McKimmie, 2003). What people should do, act and think stem from important sources in society such as family, church, significant others or embedded in the moral fabric of society itself (Hornsey et al., 2003). Normative influence involves going along with the crowd to ‘fit in’ with the majority, to be accepted and avoid social rejection (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008; Hornsey et al., 2003). When people deviated from social norms they are rejected (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008) and can experience hostility and/or disapproval from others (Hornsey et al., 2003). Eccentrics are shunned because of their nonconformity. They are often labelled as ‘mad’ or even psychotic merely because they are different from the norm (Eby).
Eccentricity has been associated with various psychological profile and mental illnesses (Eby; Wikipedia). Some psychological profiles that have been associated with eccentricity as a way of compensating negative feelings and cognitions include Oedipus complex (desire of a young male to compete with his father for his mother’s love and affection), Napoleon complex (an inferiority complex found in short people) and Peter Pan syndrome (an adult who is socially immature and never wishes to grow up) (Wikipedia). Mental illnesses such as Asperger syndrome, Schizophrenia and various personality disorders have been associated with eccentricity due to their different socialisation patterns. Despite these views there is ample evidence that eccentrics are healthier and live longer than normal people (Weeks & James, 1995) they only visit the doctor once every eight or nine years which is about 2 times less than the average person (Weeks, 1996). Eccentric traits such as their usual humour and constant happiness have been said to boost their immune system, providing a shield from many illnesses (Yahoo, 2005). Not only are eccentrics healthier physically, they are also psychologically healthy as well. The reason cited for this psychological healthiness is that as they not worried about conforming with the rest of society they experience less stress (Weeks & James, 1995), low stress and high happiness equates with psychological health or well-being (Weeks, 1996).
According to the Humanistic perspective and specifically Maslow’s hierarchy of needs a picture of ideal psychological health is someone who has reached self-actualisation, the realisation of potential, in his hierarchy of needs (Weiten, 2004). Self actualising persons are people with exceptionally healthy personalities, marked by continued personal growth (Weiten, 2004).Humans have an innate drive toward personal growth, “what a man can be, he must be” (Maslow, cited in Weiten, 2004) The creativity and inner drive toward self-actualisation is not blocked in eccentrics, who follow their visions despite what others think of them (Eby). The characteristics of self-actualising people are similar to the characteristics that Weeks identified in eccentrics, they are not dependent on others for approval or uncomfortable with solitude, they thrive on their work, they enjoy their sense of humour, they are detached and have a need for privacy and have mystical and peak experiences (profound emotional heights) (Weiten, 2004).
Weeks has suggested that eccentricity is essential for society and have positive things to offer the world (Shepard, 1986). They provide ideas and behaviour that allows people within that society to adapt successfully to the ever-changing environment (Eby) and contributes to a society that is more individualistic and less homogenised (Shepard, 1986). They are very idealistic, they are constantly trying to make the world a better place and make other people happy (Eby) and as a result eccentrics and their taboo idealisations are being snapped up (Collins, 1990). Eccentricity is encouraged in some fields, especially in entertainment and the arts and many actors and entertainers embrace their eccentricity to the delight of their audiences (Eby). People seem to be drawn to eccentrics; someone who is so open to their hopes and dreams motivates and gives hopes to others to achieve their own self-actualisation (Eby). The whimsical and sir of mystery surrounding an eccentric makes people want to be associated with eccentrics and many even find it sexually attractive (Wikipedia; Yahoo).
Eccentricity is a thing to embrace; eccentric’s non-conformity leads to high state of psychological well-being or self-actualisation and the realisation of their potential as well as peak physical health from little or lack of stress. Being different from the crowd can provide insight to how society works and help to facilitate change in the rest of society and gives people someone to turn to for motivation to follow their own dreams. Eccentrics are not mentally ill, mad or psychotic, merely different “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears." (Weeks, 1996).
References
Baumesister, R. F. & Bushman, B. J. (2008). Attitudes, beliefs and consistency. In Social Psychology and Human Nature (pp. 223-249).
Durand, V. M., & Barlow, D. H. (2006). Abnormal behaviour in historical context. In Essentials of Abnormal Psychology (4th ed.) (pp. 1-32).
Collins, G. (1990). What really makes
Eby, D. Eccentricity and creativity
From http:taletdevelop.com/articles/page2.html
Hornsey, M. J., Majkut, L., Terry, D. J., & McKimmie, B. M. (2003). On being loud and proud: non-conformity and counter-conformity to group norms, British Journal of Social Psychology, 42, 319-335.
Mayo Clinic (2007). Mental health: what’s normal, what’s not. From http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00042
Shepard, R. F. (1986). New British study: the normal need not apply. The New York Times
Weiten, W. (2004). Personality: theory, research and assessment. In Psychology Themes and Variations (6th ed.) (pp. 476-519).
Weeks, D., & James, J. (1995). Eccentrics
Treasures.yahoo.co.uk/press/
Wikipedia, Eccentricity behaviour
Weeks, D. (1996). On being eccentric. OnLine Newshour
Yahoo (2005). New wave of eccentric behaviour sweeps
From http:nationaltreasures,yahoo.co.uk/press/
Appendices
- Theory
Eccentricity is a relatively un-researched topic so there are therefore not many psychological or sociological theories based on being eccentric or the eccentric personality. Neurophysiologist David Weeks has conducted research on thousands on eccentric personalities and I used his research and conclusions in my blog, mainly that eccentricity is a psychologically health state and associated with self-actualisation.
- Research
There are very few journal articles on eccentricity and the ones that I found, UC weren’t subscribed to. Most of the information for my blog was found in textbooks (for background knowledge on normality, conformity and self-actualisation) and on-line transcripts and articles (for most of the information on eccentric personalities). From the amount of information (or lack of it) I think I covered my topic in detail.
- Written Expression
I conducted the readability analysis of my blog and for Flesch Reading Ease got 25.8 which is lower than the benchmark aim of 42 or above and 15.5 for Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level which is higher than the recommended reading grade level or year 12 or below. This indicates that my blog may contain too many long words, sentence and/or paragraphs. My APA style is not perfect in this blog mainly because of the lack of journal articles found on eccentricity, but where possible APA style is perfect. I think my blog flows and is clearly presented.
- One-line Engagement
This term I engaged in the on-line blogging more. I made comments and suggestions on fellow student’s blogs (and included a link on my blog). I published a few blogs myself (not as many as I would have liked due to conflicting time restraints) on my topic and other topics related to Social psychology in general. I customised my blog this term by adding pictures and quotes of eccentricity for interest and to make my blog look more interesting. I think my on-line engagement was a lot higher than that of last term but as always, there is room for improvement.
1 comment:
1.Overall, this was a bit of a tough topic, given the difficulty in finding peer-reviewed publications directly about this topic and it may have been difficult to access Weeks' book. You've done well to gather some relevant articles, consult some textbooks, and bring in some journal articles. However, APA style citing and referencing was below 3rd year standard. There was also evidence of connecting eccentricity to several aspects of the unit, although this could have been more extensive (you had another 500 words up your sleeve). The theoretical background would have lent itself well to being presented in a concept map.
2.Abstract?
Optional but can enhance readability without adding to the word count.
3.Theory & Research
Several important theoretical aspects of eccentricity come through.
From a definitional point of view, it might have been helpful to distinguish eccentricity more clearly from mental illness. What are the key differences?
There is perhaps a tendency to romanticise eccentrity – e.g., it also presents these individuals (and society) with challenges.
A concept map or table could have been used to help organise and communicate your central ideas and their interrelationship without adding to the word count.
Connections with humanistic theory, minority group theory, etc. were relevant. Perhaps also consider stereotyping.
4.Written Expression
Generally well written, but punctuated with APA style and grammatical errors.
Bullet-points usually aren't used in essays.
Use of subheadings could have improved readability.
5.Online Engagement
Moderately good; genuine evidence of contribution, although it could have been regulary/extensive.
6.Referencing & Citations
All citations should include the year of publication.
Subsequent citations within a paragraph should not include the year.
Titles of books should be in sentence case.
Capitalise the first letter of titles and subtitles (i.e., after colons).
Direct quotes should include page numbers.
Electronic articles references and citations were not APA style.
Several references (e.g., Shepherd, 1986) needed more details.
Eby wasn't in reference list, nor was year cited..
7.Grammar & Spelling
in to -> into
Examples of sentences which are not grammatically correct:
“Despite these views there is ample evidence that eccentrics are healthier and live longer than normal people (Weeks & James, 1995) they only visit the doctor once every eight or nine years which is about 2 times less than the average person (Weeks, 1996).”
“Weeks has suggested that eccentricity is essential for society and have positive things to offer the world (Shepard, 1986).”
“Eccentrics are not mentally ill, mad or psychotic, merely different “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears." (Weeks, 1996).”
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