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Definitions of Abnormality - The failure to function adequately definition…
Definitions of Abnormality - The failure to function adequately definition
Sees individuals as abnormal when their behaviour suggests that they cannot cope with everyday life
Behaviour is considered abnormal when it causes distress leading to an inability to function properly , like disrupting the ability to work
These people are usually characterized by not being able to experience the usual range of emotions and behaviour
The definition focuses on individual suffering , therefore drawing attention to the personal experiences associated with mental disorders
Rosenham and Seligman (1989) suggest that personal dysfunction has 7 features and the more they have the more they are classed as abnormal
Personal distress : A key feature of abnormality , includes depression and anxiety disorders
Maladaptive behaviour : Behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals , both socially and occupationally
Unpredictability : Displaying unexpected behaviours charaterised by loss of control , like attempting suicide after failing a test
Irrationality : Displaying behaviour that cannot be explained in a rational way
Observer discomfort : Displaying behaviour that can cause discomfort to others
Violation of moral standards : Displaying behaviour violating societys moral standards
Unconventionality : Displaying unconventional behaviours
To assess how well individuals cope with everyday life clinicians use the global assessment of functioning scale (GAF) , which rates their level of social , occupational and psychological functioning
Strengths
Matches sufferers perceptions
As most people seeking clinical help believe that they are suffering from psychological problems that interfere with the ability to function properly , it supports the definition
Assesses degree of abnormality
As the GAF is scored on a continuous scale it allows clinicians to see the degree to which individuals are abnormal and therefore decide who needs psychiatric help
Observable behaviour
It allows judgement by others of whether individuals are functioning properly , as it focuses on observable behaviour
Checklist
The definition provides a practical checklist individuals can use to assess their level of abnormality
Personal Perspective
It recognises the personal experience of sufferers and therefore allows mental disorders to be regarded from the perception of the individuals suffering them
Limitations
Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction
Psychopaths ( people with dangerous personality disorders ) , can cause great harm yet appear to be normal eg Harold Shipman was a respectable doctor but murdered 215 of his patients
Subjective nature of the features of dysfunction
Although GAF measures the level of functioning , it doesn't consider behaviour from an individuals perspective . What is normal for an eccentric is abnormal for an introvert
Normal abnormality
There are times in people lives when it is normal to suffer distress , like when a loved one dies
Grieving is psychologically healthy to over come loss and the definition does not consider this
Distress to others
Behaviour may cause distress to other people and be regarded as dysfunctional , while the person in question feels no distress , eg stephen gough the naked rambler
Personally rewarding abnormality
An individuals apparently dysfunctional behaviour may actually be rewarding eg an eating disorder can bring affection and attention from others
Cultural differences
What is considered normal functioning varies from one culture to another and so abnormal functioning of one culture should not be used to judge peoples behaviour from other cultures and subcultures
