psychopathology-defining abnormality FTFunction Flashcards
STRENGTH, DOUBLE, INCLUDES SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE
A strength is that this definition attempts to include the subjective experience of the individual.
For example, acknowledges that the experience of the patient and others around the, is important.
So failure to function adequately captures the experience of many who need help.
This suggests that the FFA is a useful criterion for assessing normality.
HAMBURGER, LIMITATION, PERSONAL JUDGEMENT
A limitation is that personal judgement is involved when deciding if a patient is distressed or distressing.
For example, sometimes if people experience personal distress and recognise their behaviour as undesirable. But others are content and its simply other people who are distressed.
Therefore, judgement over normalcy and abnormality is subjective.
HAMBURGER, LIMITATION, ABNORMAL CAN BE FUNCTIONAL
A limitation of this explanation for abnormality is that some apparently abnormal behaviours can be functional.
For example, depression may lead to an extra attention for the individual. Attention is reqarding and therefore functional, even if depression is deemed abnormal.
This means that this is an incomplete definition as fails to distinguish between behaviour that are dysfunctional and those that provide some function ton the individual.
HAMBURGER, LIMITATION, HARD TO SAY WHEN SOMEONE DEVIATES OR IS ABNORMAL
In practise , it can be difficult ton say when someone deviates or is abnormal.
For example, someone may see unemployment or a lack of a permanent home as failing to function adequately but doesn’t account for people who live alternative lifestyles and so they would be classified as being abnormal.
Or, like athletes inn extreme sports who are seen as having maladaptive behaviour or people with religious beliefs who would be seen as delusional.
This is ultimately a limitation as if we treat these behaviours as failures of adequacy then we risk limiting personal freedom and discriminating against minorities.
