Final answer:
Abnormality as deviation from the average is the approach that labels rare behaviors in a society as 'abnormal,' considering deviance relative and socially constructed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abnormality as deviation from the average is a statistically based approach that observes what behaviors are rare, or occur infrequently in a specific society or culture, and labels those deviations from the norm "abnormal." This approach involves measuring behaviors and considering those significantly different from the statistical norm, or average, to be abnormal. In this context, deviance is seen as a violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms. It includes behaviors that range from minor violations like dressing in an unconventional manner to serious transgressions against legal codes.
However, as the Labeling Theory suggests, behaviors are not inherently deviant on their own. Deviance is often relative, depending on how others in society perceive and react to it. For instance, an action like speaking loudly at a funeral might be considered deviant in one context but completely acceptable in a celebratory gathering after the funeral. Deviance, and by extension 'abnormal' behavior, is therefore socially constructed and can vary across different societies and over time.