Psychopathology - Definitions Of Abnormality: Failure to function adequately

Question 1

What are the characteristics shown by someone who has a failure to function adequately?

Answer 1

• Individuals who have an inability to cope with the challenges of daily life such as maintaining personal hygiene
• They show maladaptive behaviour
• Their irrational and unpredictable actions go against their long-term best interests (They self-sabotage)
• They show personal anguish and observers feel discomfort in their presence

Question 2

Along with a failure to function adequately, what is needed in order to give someone a diagnosis for an intellectual disability disorder?

Answer 2

-A low IQ along with a failure to function adequately is needed to diagnose someone with an intellectual disability disorder

Question 3

What is a disadvantage of using failure to function adequately as a way to define abnormality?

Answer 3

-Failure to function adequately is a subjective measure as “functioning adequately” and “coping” in the opinion of one observer could be different for another observer

Question 4

What is a disadvantage of using failure to function adequately as a way to define abnormality?

Answer 4

-Failure to function adequately does not accurately define abnormality as high functioning psychopaths are abnormal however they could have an ability to function well in society as they often succeed

Question 5

What is a disadvantage of using failure to function adequately as a way to define abnormality?

Answer 5

-Again, failure to function adequately does not accurately define abnormality as not all maladaptive behaviour is an indication of mental illness (E.g: Poor diet or smoking)

Question 6

What is an advantage of using failure to function adequately as a way to define abnormality?

Answer 6

-Using failure to function adequately as a way of defining abnormality respects the patient’s own lived experiences and personal situation