failure to function adequately

• a failure to function adequately means that a person is unable to live a normal life, unable to experience a normal range of emotions, or engage in a normal range of behaviour
• rosenham and seligmen (1989) suggested that psychological abnormality should be defined as a range of characteristics that suggest a person is failing to function adequately in their daily life
• no one behaviour is regarded as abnormal

  • you might be considered abnormal if you are so paranoid that you cant leave your home
  • conversely, you might be paranoid, but that doesn’t prevent you from living a reasonably normal life, you can still do the things needed every day, so this definition says you are not abnormal
• characteristics according to rosenham and seligmen (1989)

  • suffering
  • maladaptiveness (danger to self)
  • vividness and unconventionality (stands out)
  • unpredictable and loss of control
  • irrationality/incomprehensibility
  • causes observer discomfort
  • violates moral/social standards
• the fewer abnormal features a person displays, then the more normal they can be considered.
• observer discomfort

  they no longer conform to interpersonal rules e.g. maintaining personal space

  this is an unexpected behaviour which can lead to the distress of others
• personal distress

  the person experiences this e.g. anxiety, worry, discomfort

  often people who experience this advise they are in discomfort or are suffering

  this doesn’t always mean they are abnormal, however, as a normal grief reaction would feature suffering to a severe extent
• maladaptive behaviour

  they behave in a way that is irrational or dangerous e.g. cutting, taking unnecessary risks

  being unable to adapt to new situations - may be inability to adapt is caused by lack of knowledge or understanding about a situation rather than being psychologically abnormal