Lesson 2: Definitions of Abnormality - Failure to function adequately Flashcards
Define failure to function adequately
This is a model of abnormality based on the idea that a person is unable to cope with their day to day life, like having a job, social interactions or relationships because of their psychological distress and discomfort. This has an impact on their personal, social and occupational life.
Who developed this model?
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)
Features of the failure to function adequately model
A person may seek psychological help because of their psychological distress. This recognition in itself is an indicator of abnormality. Psychologists sometimes use the now replaced Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) to assess rates of social, occupational and psychological functioning. The FFA model uses 7 criteria to help define mental abnormality. The higher the criteria the more abnormal the person is. This allows psychologists to measure the ‘degree’ to which someone is abnormal.
7 criteria of the FFA model
Suffering
Unpredictability and loss of control
Maladaptiveness
Observer discomfort
Vividness and unconventionality
Irrationality and incomprehensibility
Violation of moral and ideal standards
Example of suffering
This may indicate that a person is psychologically abnormal if their illness is having a negative effect on their mental and physical wellbeing
Example of unpredictability and loss of control.
People who do not function adequately exhibit varied and unpredictable behaviour, like mood swings or self-harm. However, this could be due to external factors like alcohol or substance abuse.
Example of maladaptiveness
Properties of maladaptive behaviour prevent the person from reaching self-actualisation and their life goals, like sustaining healthy relationships or a job. However, this could be due to a lack of knowledge or skill and not due to a mental illness.
Example of observer discomfort
You as an observer may feel uncomfortable seeing unspoken rules broken, for example you may feel uncomfortable watching someone talk to themselves. However, this could be due to a difference in accepted social norms.
Example of vividness and unconventionality
Strange, and eccentric activities may be statistically rare, like being outspoken in inappropriate situations. However, it is difficult to separate people who are just eccentric and non-conformist to people with mental disorders.
Examples of irrationality and incomprehensibility
Someone’s behaviour might be illogical or hard to understand. For example a person with OCD may perform a strange ritual. However we may just not know the person and it may just be eccentricity.
Examples of violations of moral and ideal standards
A person’s actions may be deemed abnormal if they break social norms, for example, homosexuality. Some social norms such as this may be out of date.
Strengths of the FFA model
An advantage of using the 7 criteria or a globally recognised scale of functioning like the GAF scale allows psychologists to accurately assess the degree to which someone is coping with their daily life. Therefore this allows them to accurately diagnose people with mental disorders.
Weaknesses of the FFA model
- Abnormality is not always accompanied by dysfunction. Someone with a metal disorder, for example serial killer Harold Shipman did not appear to have any mental abnormalities and functioned as normal. On the other hand, you may appear to be having struggles coping with daily life, but are just having a bad week. Therefore it is not an accurate definition of abnormality that can be applied to everyone.
- The model is very subjective and it is difficult to measure and analyse the 7 criteria. For example, how much suffering does one need to experience for them to be abnormal? Psychologists need to be cautious when using this model. As well as this, there are times where not adhering to these criteria may be a sign of abnormality. For example, if you are grieving but do not show any signs of suffering or unpredictability, that is somewhat unusual.
