Lesson 2: Failure To Function Adequately

Question 1

Define Failure to Function Adequately

Answer 1

• Model of abnormality whereby a person is unable to cope with day to day life
• They are unable to maintain their social, occupational and personal life because they are experiencing psychological distress/discomfort. e.g job

Question 2

What is the scale psychologists use to measure failure to function adequately. Who made this scale?

Answer 2

• GAF: Global Assessment of Functioning Scale

- By Rosenham and Seligman

Question 3

What does the GAF signify?

Answer 3

• It allows psychologists to think of abnormality in degrees.
• The more of the 7 criteria checked off, the more abnormal the person is.
• When several criteria are present at once, the person is likely to be abnormal

Question 4

What are the 7 Criteria? (SUMOVIV)

Answer 4

• Suffering: because the psychological abnormal laity may be having a negative effect on them
• Unpredictability: behaviour is very variable and inappropriate e.g binge drinking
• Maladaptiveness: behaviour patterns prevent individuals reaching life goals
• Observer Discomfort: Unspoken rules of society being broken by others causes you discomfort. (May refer to cultural differences)
• Vividness/Unconventionality: Abnormal behaviour to how individuals would normally behave (could be eccentric)
• Irrationality: Isn’t clear why anyone would choose to act in that way. We do not know the reasons for it
• Violation of Moral standards: Behaviour violates established moral standards. The majority of people break these standards and these standards can be out of date or imposed by a minority e.g abortion

Question 5

Evaluation of Failure to Function Adequately (-)

Answer 5

• 1) Abnormality is not always accompanied with dysfunction e.g Harold Shipman (Murderer with successful job and social life)
• Dysfunction is not always accompanied with abnormality e.g bad day
• Inaccurate definition of abnormality
• 2) Criteria can be very problematic. They are difficult to measure and analyse.
• Model is too subjective and lacks being scientific and objective
• If a close relative dies, it would be acceptable to be in suffering
• 3) Model doesn’t recognise personal experience and is based off others’ views and could be due to cultural differences
• 4) The criteria do not apply to everyone e.g at age 4, a temper tantrum is expected but the same behaviour is not expected at age 25

Question 6

Evaluation of Failure to Function Adequately (+)

Answer 6

• 1) The scale can establish the degree of abnormality and how well people cope with their daily lives
• 2) It is easy to access the consequences of failure to function e.g missing work is a sign
• Could help to identify and diagnose those who may have mental disorders causing them psychological distress