Definition of abnormality - Failure to function adequately Flashcards
What does ‘failure to function adequately’ include?
Failure to go about daily life
e.g not:
-eating regularly
-washing clothes
-getting up
-getting a job
-communicating
well
DSM example
The DSM includes an assessment of ability to function adequately called ‘WHODAS’
It considers 6 areas:
-Understanding and communicating
-Getting around
-Self care
-Getting along with people
-Life activities
-Participation in society
Individuals rate each aspect from 1-5, if they rate a number of them low, they are deemed to be abnormal
AO3 -
The behaviour may be functional
Some behaviour seen as ‘abnormal’ and dysfunctional may not actually be dysfunctional
-e.g depression may be functional, as it can lead to that person receiving extra attention when they need it
Therefore the definition is incomplete, as the behaviours identified are not necessarily dysfunctional for all individuals
AO3 -
Cultural relativism
‘failure to function’ is limited to being culturally relative
-related to how ones life should be lived from a Western standpoint
-people in another culture or subculture may not ‘fail to function’ even if they don’t meet these standards
This has led to non-white and lower class individuals being diagnosed with mental disorders more