AQA A Level Psychology復(fù)習(xí)筆記4.1.2 Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to Function Adequately

Category: A-level課程, 教材筆記, 福利干貨 Date: 2022年7月14日上午10:50

Failure to Function Adequately

Failure to function adequately

States individuals are abnormal when they are unable to cope with everyday life and this is evident in their behaviour
Abnormal behaviours include; distress leading to not being able to function, behaviour that interrupts the individual's ability to work or go to school
Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) suggest that personal dysfunction has seven features and the more features an individual has, the more they are classed as abnormal

Rosenhan and Seligman's Features of Personal Dysfunction

Features of Personal Dysfunction	Description of Features
Personal Distress	Displaying behaviour which causes person stress to the sufferer e.g. not being able to hold down a job and so having a limited income.
Maladaptive Behaviour	Displaying behaviour stopping individuals from attaining life goals both socially and occupationally.
Unpredictability	Displaying unexpected behaviours characterised by loss of control e.g. quitting a course after one bad mark in a test.
Irrationality	Displaying behaviour that cannot be explained rationally.
Observer Discomfort	Displaying behaviour causes discomfort to observers e.g not keeping good hygiene so it is unpleasant to be around that person.
Violations of Moral Standards	Displaying behaviour violating social norms e.g. loudly talking to oneself, loudly in the street.
Unconventionality	Displaying unconventional behaviours.

Exam Tip

In the exam, you will not be expected to know all seven of the features of personal dysfunction but you need to be able to explain around 3 for a definition or item question. It is important to clearly define the? Features of Personal Dysfunction that you do select and to be able to use them with examples.
Without these, this definition of abnormality is harder to explain for additional credit and it is important to use examples to show to the examiner that you really understand these ideas.

Failure to Function Adequately: Evaluation

There are strengths to using 'Failure to function adequately' as a definition of abnormality:

Observable behaviour
- This definition focuses on behaviours which can be observed in the individual, allowing others to judge if the individual appears to have abnormal behaviours
Checklist
- This definition provides individuals with a practical checklist to check their behaviour
Personal perspective
- This definition allows the individual to have their own perspective of the mental disorder by recognising the personal experience of those suffering
Represents a threshold for help
- This definition provides a clear criteria for when individuals need professional help

There are limitations to using 'Failure to function adequately' as a definition of abnormality:

Discrimination
- This definition labels individuals who make unusual life choices, E.g. those who complete unusual spiritual activities or base jumpers, as abnormal
- This definition also discriminates against those cultures who make different life choices, E.g. Travellers, who may not live at a permanent address and choose not to work
Abnormality is normal
- This definition does not consider when it is normal to behave abnormally, for example at the loss of a loved one, through a divorce, taking exams
Abnormality and dysfunction do not always go together
- This definition does not explain people with dangerous personality disorders, such as psychopaths, who can appear normal, E.g. Harold Shipman a respected doctor who murdered over 200 patients but was seen as a respectable doctor

轉(zhuǎn)載自savemyexams

以上就是關(guān)于【AQA A Level Psychology復(fù)習(xí)筆記4.1.2 Definitions of Abnormality: Failure to Function Adequately】的解答，如需了解學(xué)校/賽事/課程動態(tài)，可至翰林教育官網(wǎng)獲取更多信息。

A-Level CIE就大規(guī)模泄題發(fā)布最嚴(yán)處罰！哪些考生必須重考？你的成績怎么辦？