4.1.2

Definitions of Abnormality 2

Test yourself

Failure to Function Adequately

A more practical definition of abnormality is to look at whether a person can function adequately in terms of looking after themselves and living life to the full.

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Definition

  • Defining abnormality as failure to function adequately means identifying whether someone is coping in the workplace, has healthy relationships, and can cope with everyday life.
  • Often, it includes an assessment of whether the person is engaging in actions that risk harm to themselves or others.
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WHODAS scale

  • To assess functioning, some psychologists and other clinicians use the World Health Organisation's Disability Assessment Schedule 'WHODAS':
    • The WHODAS has questions about daily difficulties such as concentrating on something for ten minutes, getting dressed, or dealing with people you do not know.
    • Problems on these activities are rated on a scale of 1 (no difficulty) to 6 (extreme difficulty or cannot do it at all).
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Objective measurement

  • As a definition, failure to function adequately is reasonably objective. It has the advantage that functioning is the basis on which a person may decide to seek help from a professional.
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Limitation

  • But there is a question of whether this definition allows people sufficient choice over how they live their lives.
    • For example, people may decide that they don’t want to have a job or relationships, and they may enjoy risky behaviour.

Jahoda (1958) - Conditions of Ideal Mental Health

Jahoda devised 6 elements of optimal living.

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Jahoda's (1958) 6 conditions

  • Self-attitudes: having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.
  • Personal growth and self-actualisation: the extent to which a person develops their full capabilities.
  • Integration: such as being able to cope with stressful situations.
  • Autonomy: being independent and self-regulating.
  • Having an accurate perception of reality.
  • Mastery of the environment: including the ability to love, function at work and in interpersonal relationships, adjust to new situations and solve problems.
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Evaluation of theory

  • Strengths
    • Positive approach.
  • Limitations
    • Unrealistic criteria.
    • Suggests mental health is the same as physical health.
    • Cultural relativism.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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