Failure To Function Adequately Flashcards
(13 cards)
What does ‘Failure to Function Adequately’ (FTFA) define?
It defines someone as abnormal if they are unable to cope with everyday life.
What are the consequences of failing to function adequately?
Their behaviour prevents them from working, conducting satisfying relationships, and causes personal distress as well as distress to others.
What are the four key characteristics of ‘failing to function adequately’ according to Rosenhan and Seligman (1989)?
- Distress
- Unpredictable Behaviour
- Maladaptive Behaviour
- Irrational Behaviour
What does the characteristic ‘Distress’ entail?
It refers to behaviour that causes distress to oneself and/or discomfort for others observing their behaviour.
What is meant by ‘Unpredictable Behaviour’?
It is when someone’s behaviour is unexpected, such as sobbing for no reason or laughing at bad news.
Define ‘Maladaptive Behaviour’.
It refers to behaviour that is dysfunctional and not good for the individual.
What does ‘Irrational Behaviour’ mean?
It is behaviour that does not make sense to other people and is difficult to understand.
How can you link the FTFA definition to a disorder?
An example is Depression.
What memory aid can help remember the key characteristics of FTFA?
D - distress
U - unpredictable behaviour
M - maladaptive behaviour
I - irrational behaviour
What is a problem with the FTFA definition regarding failure to function?
Failing to function doesn’t always indicate psychological abnormality. Sometimes, people fail to function due to external factors rather than personal issues.
For example, holding down a job and supporting a family may be impossible due to the climate or discrimination at work.
How do mental disorders relate to the FTFA definition?
Mental disorders do not always prevent a person from functioning. Some individuals with mental illness manage to live relatively normal lives.
For example, some are able to manage their daily lives without showing clear signs of maladaptive or irrational behaviour.
What is a strength of the FTFA definition?
The FTFA definition tries to include the patient’s perspective, acknowledging the experience of the patient and/or others.
For example, the level of distress experienced by the patient is considered when defining their behaviour as abnormal.
What cultural issue exists with the FTFA definition?
The definition may be culturally biased, as behaviour that seems abnormal to one culture might make sense to another.
For example, Harrison et al (1997) reported that African-Caribbean groups were 8 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than white groups in the UK, possibly due to white psychiatrists judging cultural differences as irrational.
