Failure to Function adequately (FFA) - abnormality Flashcards
what does failure to function adequately means?
someone can be judged as abnormal if they are unable to cope with everyday life activities
in 1989, R…. and S….. proposed ….. (hint: number) major features of ‘failing to function adequately’.
ROSENHAN / SELIGMAN / 7
what were these 7 major features?
suffering, maladaptiveness, vividness and unconventionality, unpredictability, irrationality and incomprehensibility, violation of moral and ideal standards AND observer discomfort
define ‘suffering’
Most abnormal individuals (such as those suffering with anxiety
disorders) report that they are suffering.
define ‘maladaptiveness’
Maladaptive behaviour is behaviour that prevents an
individual from achieving major life goals, from having fulfilling relationships with
others or working effectively
define ‘vivid and unconventional’
Vivid and unconventional behaviour is
relatively unusual. It is behaviour that differs substantially from the way in which
you would expect normal people to behave in similar situations.
what is ‘unpredictability and incomprehensibility’
behaviour that makes it hard to understand a person
what is violation or moral standards?
breaking the moral standards set by society is considered to be dysfunctional
what is observer discomfort?
people who are watching said persons behaviour may feel uncomfortable
what is the global assessment of functioning scale (GAF) ?
rating level on a social and occupational psychological functioning
who made the GAF?
Rosenhan and seligman
evaluation: why is the GAF being a continuous scale a benefit?
it allows us to asses the degree of abnormality
evaluation: most feature of failure to function adequately (e.g maladaptiveness) is observable, how is this a benefit?
this allows others to seek help for them
evaluation: the GAF and the 7 features of functioning adequately are all patient centred, why is this a benefit?
they provide a threshold for deciding who needs professional help
