Jim Case Study
Case Study on Jim
Ashley Lammi
PSYCH/515
April 8, 2013
Naomi Hall-Byers
Case Study on Jim
Jim is a 48-year-old Caucasian male that shows a sign of depression and possibly Asperger’s, which is a form of Autism but a more high functioning kind. His behavior seems normal to Jim but abnormal to everyone else. Although Jim can uphold a stable job his interactions with fellow coworkers is almost nonexistent. As well as the nonexistent relationship he has with his coworkers Jim does not see his own family even though they live in the same city.
To understand Jim’s behavior and individual must take into consideration the six primary elements of abnormal behavior. Those elements are “suffering, maladaptivness, and deviancy, violence of standards of society, social discomfort, irrationality, and unpredictability” (Butcher, 2010, Pg. 4). Jim shows no sign of physical suffering, but he is suffering from lack of social ineptness. Jim understands that he may be a bit socially awkward but does not seem to care. “Although suffering is an element of abnormality in many cases, it is neither a sufficient condition nor even a necessary condition for us to consider something as abnormal” (Butcher, 2010, Pg. 4). Jim unquestionably suffers from a bit of maladaptivness because of the fact his awkwardness hinders him from forming good long-lasting relationships with anyone in his life. Even though Jim does not think he has an abnormality, according to the rules of society, he is abnormal.
Jim’s awkwardness, according to society is abnormal only because mostly his actions are rare. “If something is statistically are and undesirable (as is mental retardation), we are more likely to consider it abnormal than something that is statistically are and high desirable (such as genius) or something that is undesirable but statistically common (such as rudeness)” (Butcher, 2010, Pg. 4). The way Jim responds to social cues makes it obvious that he does suffer from something abnormal.
Ashley Lammi
PSYCH/515
April 8, 2013
Naomi Hall-Byers
Case Study on Jim
Jim is a 48-year-old Caucasian male that shows a sign of depression and possibly Asperger’s, which is a form of Autism but a more high functioning kind. His behavior seems normal to Jim but abnormal to everyone else. Although Jim can uphold a stable job his interactions with fellow coworkers is almost nonexistent. As well as the nonexistent relationship he has with his coworkers Jim does not see his own family even though they live in the same city.
To understand Jim’s behavior and individual must take into consideration the six primary elements of abnormal behavior. Those elements are “suffering, maladaptivness, and deviancy, violence of standards of society, social discomfort, irrationality, and unpredictability” (Butcher, 2010, Pg. 4). Jim shows no sign of physical suffering, but he is suffering from lack of social ineptness. Jim understands that he may be a bit socially awkward but does not seem to care. “Although suffering is an element of abnormality in many cases, it is neither a sufficient condition nor even a necessary condition for us to consider something as abnormal” (Butcher, 2010, Pg. 4). Jim unquestionably suffers from a bit of maladaptivness because of the fact his awkwardness hinders him from forming good long-lasting relationships with anyone in his life. Even though Jim does not think he has an abnormality, according to the rules of society, he is abnormal.
Jim’s awkwardness, according to society is abnormal only because mostly his actions are rare. “If something is statistically are and undesirable (as is mental retardation), we are more likely to consider it abnormal than something that is statistically are and high desirable (such as genius) or something that is undesirable but statistically common (such as rudeness)” (Butcher, 2010, Pg. 4). The way Jim responds to social cues makes it obvious that he does suffer from something abnormal.
References: Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2010). Abnormal Psychology (14th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection. Diagnostic Criteria for 299.80 Asperger 's Disorder. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html