Definitions of abnormality (2)

Question 1

Define failure to function adequately

Answer 1

• occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day to day living

Question 2

When is someone failing to function adequately

cue: Rosenhan and Seligman

Answer 2

• when a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules
• when a person experiences severe personal distress
• when a persons behaviour becomes irrational and a danger to themselves and others

Question 3

Give an example of someone who is failing to function adequately

Answer 3

• for eg if someone has an abnormally low IQ they cannot be diagnosed as having that if they are not failing to function adequately

Question 4

Define deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 4

• occurs when someone does not meet a criteria for good mental health

Question 5

What does ideal mental health look like? and who suggested this criteria

Answer 5

• Jahoda:
• no symptoms of distress
• rational and calm and can perceive ourselves accurately
• we self-actualise
• we can cope with stress
• realistic view of the World
• good self-esteem and lack guilt
• independent of other people
• we can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure

Question 6

Give a strength of the theory failure to function adequately

Answer 6

• it attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual, acknowledges that the experience of the patient is important
• this shows it is a useful criteria for assessing abnormality

Question 7

Give a limitation of the theory failure to function adequately

Answer 7

• subjective judgements
• someone has to judge whether a person is failing to function adequately, there are methods for making these judgements as objective as possible but the principle remains that someone has the right to make this judgement

Question 8

What is a strength of the theory of deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 8

• it is comprehensive
• covers a broad range of criteria
• range of factors make it a good tool for thinking about mental helath

Question 9

What is a limitation of Jahoda’s criteria

Answer 9

• culture bound

- traits typical of individualist cultures would be seen as bad or abnormal in other cultures, parts of the World