A deficiency perspective

A 'deficiency perspective' describes the tendency always to focus on people's deficits and on what they cannot do instead of their strengths and how to build on them. A one-sided emphasis on people's incapacities and mistakes leads to a pessimistic view of likely long-term parenting outcomes.

(See: Booth, W. and Booth, T. (1993). 'Accentuate the positive: a personal profile of a parent with learning difficulties', Disability, Handicap and Society, 8(4), 377-392.)