defining abnormality Flashcards
what are the 4 D’s?
- deviance
- danger
- distress
- dysfunction
define danger
- patient assessed under two key elements: danger to themselves and to others
- if person putting own life of others at risk an intervention is needed
- if the problematic behaviour is risky then a diagnosis may be needed
define distress
- should be treated in isolation to the other D’s as patient may be very distressed about current situation
- the extent to which behaviour causing distress on individual
- may be distressed about something trivial so subjective experience is important
define dysfunction
- refers to the person behaviour not being successful in relation to carrying everyday tasks in life
- if significantly interfering, mental illness may be present
- all areas of life need to be assessed as may not be noticeable in certain areas
define deviance
- look at the extent to which behaviour is rare within society
- if behaviour rare enough and deviates away from social norms then a disorder may be present
is there a fifth D and who put it forward?
Duration may be one, Davies (2009) stated that it is important to look at how long behaviour lasts, may add extra info
e.g schizophrenia 6 months
pyschotic disorder 1 day
is the application of the four D’s subjective, if so why?
yes, what a professional views as dysfunctional such as not going to work might not be considered dysfunctional to the individual, may be more for society than the person
what is an issue with with deviance?
an argument that some problematic behaviours are no rare, such as depression, so it is important to weigh up all four D’s
do the 4 D’s support the DSM?
yes, they increase validity of the DSM as a diagnostic, on specific diagnoses are shown to focus on specific D’s
why are there questions about reliability?
they lack objecticity and are subjective, meaning two clinicians may get spirit answers
how are the four D’s incomplete?
Davies (2009) suggest a fourth D
