Chapter 5.2 - Definitions of abnormality(2) Flashcards
What is the failure to function adequately?
Occurs when someone is unable to cope with the ordinary demands of day-to day living
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
What are the seven criteria for failure to function adequately definition?
- Personal distress - suffering psychological distress
- Maladaptive behaviour - behaviour interferes with ability to cope with normal life
- Irrationality - behaviour that doesn’t make sense
- Unpredictability - behaviour that doesn’t fit the situation
- Observer discomfort - causes discomfort to others
What is an example of a disorder diagnosed with failure to function adequately?
Intellectual disability disorder, the diagnosis is given once they have a very low IQ AND are failing to function adequately
What is deviation from ideal mental health?
Occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
What are the five characteristics of ideal mental health?
- Self-actualise : strive to reach our potential
- Can cope with stress
- Have a realistic view of the world
- Have a good self-esteem and lack guilt
- Independent of other people
What is an advantage of failure to function adequately? (threshold)
It represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help
- 25% of people in the UK experience a mental health problem in any given year but most press on, however it is the point that which we cease to function that people seek professional help or are noticed and referred
- Treatment and services can be targeted to those who need it most
What is a limitation of failure to function adequately? (discrimination and social control)
It tends to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
- Some people may be purposely deviating from social norms e.g. not having a job or permanent address
Those who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted
What is a limitation of failure to function adequately? (may not be abnormal)
There are some circumstances in which most fail to cope for a time, for example bereavement
- It may be unfair to give someone a label that may cause them future problems because they react to difficult circumstances
What is a strength of deviation from ideal health? (comprehensive)
It is a highly comprehensive definition that includes a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from mental disorder
- Provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals
What is a limitation of ideal mental health? (culture-bound)
The criteria for ideal mental health aren’t applicable across cultures since the context of the criteria is influenced by the US and Europe
- What defines success in our working, social, and love-lives varies extremely in different cultures
Difficult to apply the concept of ideal mental health from one culture to another
What is a limitation of deviation from ideal mental health? (extremely high standards)
The criteria is unrealistic and no one can achieve all of them at once of keep them up for a prolonged period of time
- This can be disheartening and can be counterproductive if someone tries to meet the impossible set of standards
