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DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY - Coggle Diagram
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
Failure to function adequately
we might decide that someone is not functioning adequately when they are unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene
also if they cannot hold down a job or maintain relationships with people around them
a person may cross the line between 'normal' and 'abnormal' at the point when they can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life
rosenhan and seligaman (1989) have proposed some additional signs that can be used determine when someone is not coping
no longer conforming to standard interpersonal rules; maintaining eye contact, and respecting personal space
severe personal distress
irrational and dangerous to themselves or others
failure function adequately evaluation
limitations
difficult to say someone is really failing to function and when they have simply chosen to deviate from social norms
this means that people who make unusual choices are at risk of being labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted
easy to label non standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
strengths
it tends to be at the point that we cease to function adequately that people seek professional help or are noticed and referred for help by others
this criterion means that treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most
represents a sensible threshold for when people need professional help
deviation from ideal mental health
Jahoda (1958) suggested that we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria
no symptoms of distress
occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
self actualise - reach full potential
independent
can cope with stress
good self esteem and lack guilt
realistic view of the world
are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately
successfully work, love and enjoy leisure
deviation from ideal mental health
limitations
some of the criteria are firmly located in the context of US or Europe. self actualisation would be dismissed as self indulgent in many parts of the world.
what defines success in our working, social and love-lives is very different in different cultures
not equally applicable across a range of cultures
difficult to apply concept from one culture to another culture
strengths
includes a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from mental disorder
it provides a checklist against which we can asses ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with range of professionals
highly comprehensive definition