Definition of abnormality - Failure to function adequately

Question 1

What does ‘failure to function adequately’ include?

Answer 1

Failure to go about daily life

e.g not:
-eating regularly
-washing clothes
-getting up
-getting a job
-communicating
well

Question 2

DSM example

Answer 2

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

Question 3

AO3 -

The behaviour may be functional

Answer 3

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

Question 4

AO3 -

Cultural relativism

Answer 4

‘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