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Definitions of Abnormality - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Definition…
Definitions of Abnormality - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Definition
Perceives abnormality in a similar way to how physical health is assessed by looking for signs of an absence of wellbeing but in terms of mental health instead of physical health
Marie Jahoda (1958) devised the concept of ideal mental health with 6 characteristics that individuals should exhibit in order to be normal .
Positive attitude towards oneself : Having self respect and a positive self concept
Self actualisation : Experiencing personal growth and development 'Becoming everything one is capable of becoming'
Autonomy : Being independent , self reliant and able to make personal decisions
Resisting stress : Having effective coping strategies and being able to cope with everyday anxiety provoking situations
Accurate perception of reality : Perceiving the world in a non distorted fashion . Having an objective and realistic view of the world
Environmental mastery : Being competent in all aspects of life and able to meet the demands of any situation . Having the flexibility to adapt to changing life circumstances
The more characteristics an individual fails to meet and the further they are away from realising individual characteristics , the more abnormal they are
The definition focuses on behaviors and characteristics seen as desirable , rather than what is undesirable
Strengths
Positivity
The definition emphasises positive achievements rather than failures and distress and stresses a positive approach to mental problems by focusing on what is desirable , not undesirable
Targets specific areas of dysfunction
The definition allows targeting of which areas to work on when treating abnormality
This could be important in treating different types of disorders , such as focusing on specific probelm areas a person with depression has
Holistic
Focuses on the individual as a whole person rather than focusing on individual areas of their behaviour
Goal setting
The definition permits identification of what is needed to achieve normality , allowing creation of personal goals to work towards and achieve , therefore facilitating self growth
Limitations
Over demanding criteria
Most people do not meet all the ideals , eg few people experience personal growth all the time
Therefore according to this definition most people are abnormal
The criteria may actually be ideals (how you would like to be) rather than actualities (how you actually are)
Subjective
Many of the criteria are vague and difficult to measure
Measuring physical health is more objective , using methods like x rays and blood tests but diagnosing mental health is more subjective , relying largely on self reports of patients who may be mentally ill and not reliable
Contextual Effects
Mental health criteria are affected by context , eg spitting while out jogging is quite normal but is not considered normal in the college cafeteria
Changes over time
Perceptions of reality change over time , eg once seeing visions was a positive sign of commitment , now it would be seen as a sign of schizophrenia
Cultural Variation
The criteria used to judge mental health are culturally relative and should not be used to judge others of different cultures
Some types of abnormalities exist only in certain cultures , eg Koro is a syndrome in south east asia , china and africa , wherw a man believes his penis is fatally retracting into his body
Non desirability of autonomy
Collectivist cultures stress communal goals and behaviours and see autonomy as undesirable
Western cultures are more concerned with indivdiuals attainment and goals , so the definition is culturally biased
