Deviation from ideal mental health

• how does this define abnormality

  • occurs when someone does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health
  • Jahoda's criteria: no symptoms of distress, rational and perceive ourselves accurately, self actualise, cope with stress, realistic view of the world, good self esteem, lack guilt, independent, can work, love and enjoy leisure
• example where it has been successful

  • narcolepsy - can't meet criteria of independence - need carer
  • phobias - can't meet criteria of coping with stress
• limitation

  • cultural relativism - some ideas of Jahoda's are specific to western European + north American cultures
  • eg: the emphasis on personal achievement would be considered self indulgent in most of the world as they focus on community and family
  • much of the world see independence as a bad thing
• limitation

  • unrealistic standard for mental health
  • we cannot all attain all of Jahoda's criteria for mental health all the time or keep them up for very long
  • therefore this approach would see us all as abnormal
• limitation

  • when we make a judgment that someone is deviating from ideal mental health then we may be giving them a label which may add to their problems
  • eg: it would be 'normal' to get depressed after the loss of a job, home or relationship
  • someone in that position may benefit from psychological help - however future employers may add a label to the person