Failure to Function Adequately

Question 1

Examples of functioning adequately

Answer 1

good hygiene; interacting with other human beings; listening and acting appropriately etc.

Question 2

Define Failing to Function Adequately

Answer 2

– An assessment of an individual whose disability prevents them from pursuing normal activities and goals (e.g. alcohol addiction affecting performance or depression)

Question 3

When would a person be considered ‘Failing to Function Adequately’

Answer 3

– If an individual cannot meet expected social norms, they are believed to be ‘failing to function adequately’

– If an individual’s behaviour, mood or thoughts adversely affect their:

 1. Well-being, i.e. their ability to retain relationships and employment
2. Becomes a danger to their own safety
3. They become a danger to the safety of others

Then they are considered abnormal – doctors have to take this into account when diagnosing mental health issues; they are required to assess people on various psychological and physical measures

Question 4

Who came up with the 7 categories for abnormality in failing to function adequately?

Answer 4

Rosenhan and Seligman

Question 5

What are the with 7 characteristics in which, Rosenhan and Seligman thought, abnormality can be categorised?

Answer 5

1. Suffering
2. Maladaptiveness
3. Unconventional Behaviour
4. Unpredictable Behaviour
5. Irrationality
6. Observer Discomfort
7. Violation of Moral Standards

When several are present it may be symptomatic of a mental disorder

Question 6

What are the limitations of the definition, ‘failure to function adequately’?

Answer 6

Adaptive or maladaptive?

Cultural relativism

Not the whole picture

Exceptions to the rule

Who judges?

Question 7

Explain ‘Adaptive or maladaptive?’

As a limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 7

is the behaviour of benefit to the person instead of negative? – This disorder may lead to extra attention (desired)

Question 8

Explain ‘Cultural relativism’

As a limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 8

Cultural ideas of how one’s life should be lived. Lower class and non-white patients are more often diagnosed with mental disorders

Question 9

Explain ‘Not the whole picture’

As a limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 9

Not a true definition of abnormality. Instead it is a way of determining the extent of a person’s problems and the likelihood they might need professional help

Question 10

Explain ‘Exceptions to the rule’

As a limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 10

A student experiencing anxiety and distress about and exam may behave uncharacteristically but would not necessarily be regarded as abnormal. On the other hand, sociopaths (anti-social personalities) might exhibit violent or aggressive behaviour but be unlikely to experience personal suffering or distress

Question 11

Explain ‘who judges?’

As a limitation of failure to function adequately

Answer 11

Who decides whether someone is failing to function adequately, the person or a doctor?
– What if the patient is content with the situation and sees it as a means for survival, e.g. schizophrenia – act violent to defend oneself