AQA A Level Psychology复习笔记4.1.2 Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to Function Adequately
Failure to Function Adequately
Failure to function adequately
- States individuals are abnormal when they are unable to cope with everyday life and this is evident in their behaviour
- Abnormal behaviours include; distress leading to not being able to function, behaviour that interrupts the individual's ability to work or go to school
- Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features and the more features an individual has, the more they are classed as abnormal
Rosenhan and Seligman's Features of Personal Dysfunction
| Features of Personal Dysfunction | Description of Features |
| Personal Distress | Displaying behaviour which causes person stress to the sufferer e.g. not being able to hold down a job and so having a limited income. |
| Maladaptive Behaviour | Displaying behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals both socially and occupationally. |
| Unpredictability | Displaying unexpected behaviours characterised by loss of control e.g. quitting a course after one bad mark in a test. |
| Irrationality | Displaying behaviour that cannot be explained rationally. |
| Observer Discomfort | Displaying behaviour causes discomfort to observers e.g not keeping good hygiene so it is unpleasant to be around that person. |
| Violations of Moral Standards | Displaying behaviour violating social norms e.g. loudly talking to oneself, loudly in the street. |
| Unconventionality | Displaying unconventional behaviours. |
Exam Tip
In the exam, you will not be expected to know all seven of the features of personal dysfunction but you need to be able to explain around 3 for a definition or item question. It is important to clearly define the Features of Personal Dysfunction that you do select and to be able to use them with examples.
Without these, this definition of abnormality is harder to explain for additional credit and it is important to use examples to show to the examiner that you really understand these ideas.
Failure to Function Adequately: Evaluation
There are strengths to using 'Failure to function adequately' as a definition of abnormality:
- Observable behaviour
- This definition focuses on behaviours which can be observed in the individual, allowing others to judge if the individual appears to have abnormal behaviours
- Checklist
- This definition provides individuals with a practical checklist to check their behaviour
- Personal perspective
- This definition allows the individual to have their own perspective of the mental disorder by recognising the personal experience of those suffering
- Represents a threshold for help
- This definition provides a clear criteria for when individuals need professional help
There are limitations to using 'Failure to function adequately' as a definition of abnormality:
- Discrimination
- This definition labels individuals who make unusual life choices, E.g. those who complete unusual spiritual activities or base jumpers, as abnormal
- This definition also discriminates against those cultures who make different life choices, E.g. Travellers, who may not live at a permanent address and choose not to work
- Abnormality is normal
- This definition does not consider when it is normal to behave abnormally, for example at the loss of a loved one, through a divorce, taking exams
- Abnormality and dysfunction do not always go together
- This definition does not explain people with dangerous personality disorders, such as psychopaths, who can appear normal, E.g. Harold Shipman a respected doctor who murdered over 200 patients but was seen as a respectable doctor
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