Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Definitions of abnormality (continued) (Evaluation (Who judges?, The…
Definitions of abnormality (continued)
Failure to function adequately
Cannot live a normal life
Causes distress
Evaluation
The DSM includes an assessment of ability to function called WHODAS (World Health Organization Disability Assessment; which is available online). This considers six areas: understanding and communicating, getting along with people, life activities and participation in society. Individuals rate each item on a scale of 1 to 5 and are given an overall score out of 180. Therefor an assessment of abnormality using the DSM would include a quantitative measure of functioning.
Deviation from ideal mental health
Characteristics that enable an individual to fee happy (free from distress) and behave competently. She Identified six categories.
Self attitudes: having high self-esteem and strong sense of identity.
Personal growth and self actualisation: the extent to which an individual develops their full capabilities.
Integration: such as being able to cope with stressful situations
Autonomy: being independent and self-regulating
Having an accurate sense of reality
Mastery of the environment: including the ability to love, function at work an in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems.
Key terms
Deviation from ideal mental health - Abnormality is defined in terms of mental health, behaviours that are associated with competence and happiness. Ideal mental health would include a positive attitude towards the self, resistance to stress and an accurate perception of reality.
Failure to function adequately - People are judged on their ability to go about their daily life. If they can't do this and are also experiencing distress (or others distressed by their behaviour) then it is considered a sign of abnormality.
Evaluation
Who judges?
The behaviour may be quite functional
Strengths of this definition
Unrealistic criteria
Suggests that mental health is the same as physical health
It is a positive approach
Cultural relativism