This paper aims to analysis the nature of the North-American models of normalization, as it originally
emerged from Scandinavia, along with its major characteristics and implications. The Principle has been
subject to numerous misinterpretations, as well as confusion with the version of Normalization later
developed by Wolfensberger. He has attempted to convert the early formalization of Normalization by
Nirje into a scientific theory that is universal, parsimonious, and congruent with social and behavioral
science. This new directions in theorizing has led to some confusion and also to a great deal of debate.
So I will analysis the differences between them through a variety of definitions of normalization which
scholars have proposed in Scandinavia and North America in 5 aspects: category, orientation, targets, identity
and model of social welfare etc.
Consequently, we are not negative toward the nature of two definition’s relations and also must not
understand as a negative these evolving processes from the Scandinavian formulation to North America
formulation. The Normalization principle has achieved much over the last four decades. It has survived
as an educational and social tool for so long because it has led to the successful integration of devalued
individuals. And social phenomena are a reflection of the large dynamics of their time and place.