Examining How Culture Shapes the Concept of Abnormal -through Translating the Works of Ruth Benedict

摘要

Benedict’s paper “Anthropology and the Abnormal” challenged traditional psychology by claiming that what is normal and what is abnormal is shaped by culture. In doing so, Benedict risked exposing her own lesbian sexuality which was considered ‘abnormal’ at the time. Translating this paper into Japanese provides important information for Japanese scholars in that the paper reveals the close connection between Benedict’s research and her personal life and convictions.