doa- failure to function adequately

Question 1

Which definition of abnormality states that abnormal behaviour is when an individual is not able to cope with everyday life?

Question 2

What does Failure to Function Adequately state/ define abnormal behavior as?

Answer 2

-states that abnormal behavior is when an individual is not able to cope with everyday life.

Question 3

Who was ability to function or cope defined by ?

Answer 3

Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 4

How did Rosenhan and Seligman define ability to function or cope?

Answer 4

comprising of several elements including:
-maladaptive behaviour
-personal distress
-irrationality
-observer discomfort
-lack of personal care
-impulsive behaviour

Question 5

What elements did Rosenhan and Seligman suggest that ability to function or cope included?

Answer 5

-maladaptive behaviour
-personal distress
-irrationality
-observer discomfort
-lack of personal care
-impulsive behaviour

Question 6

Explain what maladaptive behaviour is?

Answer 6

-behaviours that are odd or extreme in some situations

Question 7

Explain what personal distress is?

Answer 7

-extreme emotions experienced by someone and an inability to control them

Question 8

Explain what irrationality is?

Answer 8

-behaviour or thoughts that are not accurate of the world around them

Question 9

Explain what observer discomfort is?

Answer 9

-when other people become affected by a person’s behaviour

Question 10

Explain what lack of personal care is?

Answer 10

-hygiene, sleep, diet- factors that someone could fail to function in

Question 11

Explain what impulsive behaviour is?

Answer 11

-behaviour done without thought or control

Question 12

What is the GAF Scale?

Answer 12

-Global Assessment of Functioning Scale
-a scale used by professionals to determine if someone is failing to function

Question 13

What is the strength of the Failure to Function Adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 13

-behaviour is observable

Question 14

What are the limitations of the Failure to Function Adequately definition of abnormality?

Answer 14

-Abnormality doesn’t always stop the person functioning
-Every-day life varies

Question 15

Explain the strength of the Failure to Function Adequately definition of abnormality that behaviour is observable?

Answer 15

-An individuals’ failure to function adequately can be seen by others around them
-This is because they may show characteristics described by Rosenham and Seligman such as unpredictability, irrationality and maladaptive behaviour.
-This means that problems can be noticed by others so that if the individual is incapable of making a decision or helping themselves others can intervene.

Question 16

Explain the limitation of the Failure to Function Adequately definition of abnormality that abnormality doesn’t always stop the person functioning?

Answer 16

-The focus on how someone is coping for this definition may mean that some abnormal behavior is missed.
-People may appear fine to others because they fit into society and have jobs and homes, but they may have distorted/ irrational thinking which is causing them inner distress that they hide.
-This makes the definition weak as it means that people may experience inner distress and be struggling without anyone noticing, making it harder to access a diagnosis or help.

Question 17

Explain the limitation of the Failure to Function Adequately definition of abnormality that every-day life varies?

Answer 17

-The ability to cope with everyday life depends on what is seen as normal everyday life.
-This varies within and across cultures.
-For example, some biological (internal body) clocks mean that some people, such as teenagers, do not rise until midday (which could be classified as abnormal) but they function ‘adequately’ at other times.
-Another example is that culturally it is not unusual to have siestas or move home regularly which may be seen as abnormal by other cultural standards.
-This means that the definition is not clear when taking into account the behavior of everyone, as factors such as culture and age play a big part.