deviation from standard

• 3. Failure to function adequately 

  Deviation from the standard

  Views abnormality as the failure to experience the normal range of emotions or to engage in the normal range of behaviour. 
• ROSENHAN AND SELIGMAN (1989) outline features of this definition including: 

  • Observer discomfort – behaviour which makes others feel uncomfortable. 
  • Violation of moral standards of society. 
  • Maladaptive behaviour – stopping individuals from attaining life goals. 
  • Unpredictable and irrational. 
• Strengths of failure to function adequately

  • Uses observable behaviour to make a judgement on level of normality. 
  • ROSENHAN gave specific behaviours to watch for that have been defined as abnormal. 
• Weaknesses of failure to function adequately

  • Subjective – at times most people go through a phase of abnormal behaviour e.g. grief. 
  • No given reasons behind the behaviour.