definitions of abnormality(2)

Question 1

what is failure to function adequately?

Answer 1

-abormal behavioir shown when they cant cope with the demands of everyday life
-dont experience range of emotions or behvaiours
-behaviour leads them to dysfunction e.g disrupt work ability, eating, washing clothes and communication

Question 2

what did rosenhan and seligman(1989) suggest?

Answer 2

-personal dysfunction has several factors
-the more an individual has , the more they are classed as abnormal

Question 3

when is someone considered to be failing to function adequately?

Answer 3

1. person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g maintaining eye contact, respecting personal space
   2.person experiences severe personal distress
   3.persons behavior becomes irrational and dangerous to themselves or others

Question 4

What were the several features rosenhan and seligman found to be associated with dysfunction?

Answer 4

-maladaptive behaviour
-personal distress
-violation of moral standards
-observer discomfort
-irrationality
-unconventionality
-unpredictability

Question 5

what is personal distress?

Answer 5

-includes depression and anxiety
disorders.

Question 6

what is maladaptive behavior ?

Answer 6

-Behaviour that stops individuals from attaining satisfactory goals,
both socially and occupationally e.g. enjoying good relationships
with other people or working effectively

Question 7

what is unpredictablity?

Answer 7

Displaying unexpected behaviours characterised by loss of
control e.g. attempting suicide after failing a test.

Question 8

what is irrationality?

Answer 8

• behaviour that cannot be explained in a rational way.
  However, people who suffer from migraines may behave irrationally.

Question 9

what is observer discomfort?

Answer 9

-Displaying behaviour causing discomfort to others.

Question 10

what is violation of moral standards?

Answer 10

-Displaying behaviour violating society’s moral behaviour.

Question 11

what is unconventionality?

Answer 11

-Displaying unconventional behaviours.

Question 12

strengths of FFA

Answer 12

(personal perspective)
-recognises the personal experiences of sufferers, focusing on specifically
observable behaviours
(matches suffers perceptions)
sue et al
-most people seeking clinical help believe they are suffering psycholgicaly which disrupts their ability to function
-so they seek help when they cant function = supports definiton
(observable behaviours)
-judgement made on wether individuals can function by looking at obserbale behaviour

Question 13

limitations of FFA

Answer 13

(exhibiting dysfunction)
-abnormality not always presenting dysfunction
-e.g anti social personality disorder can cause great harm but appear normal
-these people considered abnormal despite not showing dysfunctional behvaiours
(normal abnormality)
-there are times in people’s lives when it is normal to suffer distress,
-like when loved ones die. Grieving is psychologically healthy to overcome loss.
(reward of abnormality)
an individual’s apparently dysfunctional behaviour may
actually be rewarding. For example, a person’s eating disorder can bring affection and
attention from others.
(distress to others)
-behaviour may cause distress to other people and be regarded as
dysfunctional, while the person themselves feels no distress.
(cultural differences)
-‘normal functioning’ varies culture to culture
-abnormal functioning of one culture should not be used to judge people from other cultures/subcultures
(subjective nature)
-doesnt consider behavior from individual perspective
e.g wearing flaboyant clothing can be normal for eccentric but not a introvert
-doesnt take individual lifestyle into consideration
FFA DOESNT CONSDIER CAUSE OF POOR FUNCTIONALITY!

Question 14

what is definition of ideal mental health?

Answer 14

-satisfaction and happiness within ones self

Question 15

what are the 6 criterias?

Answer 15

1.personal autonomy= being indpendant and being able to remain stable during difficult situations
2.self attitude= having high self esteem
3.accurate perception= seeing world around them in realisitic fashion
4.resistance to stress= being able to cope w stress
5.self actualisation= being able to develop capabilities
6.adapting to environment= being competent in all areas of life e.g work, personal

Question 16

strengths of DIMH

Answer 16

-focus on desirability and not undesirable
-holistic- condiers individual as a whole rather then certain areas of behaviour

Question 17

limitaitons of DIMH

Answer 17

(subjective)
many of the criteria
are vague and difficult to measure.
Measuring physical health is more
objective, using well-established methods,
like X-Rays and blood tests. Diagnosing
mental health is more subjective, relying
largely on the self-reports of patients who
may be mentally ill and not, therefore,
reliable
(context)
-mental health can be affected by context and other factors e.g spitting when running is normal but not in a canteen
(changes over time)
-perceptions of reality changes over time
-in 13th cnetury seeing visions was a positive sign of religious commitment
-now seen as schizophrenia
(non desirbality of autonomy)
-collectivist cultures emphasise communal goals and autonomy as desirbale
-africans ‘we’
-western ‘me’ view
-western culture concerned with individual attainment and goals