Definitions of abnormality - deviation ideals mental health

• Jahoda suggested a set of criteria for ideal mental health. An absence of any of these healthy characteristics indicates that a person is abnormal. The more criteria someone fails to meet, the more abnormal they are.
• 1. Have an accurate perception of reality
  2. Be self-actualised (reached one’s potential)
  3. Integrate (be able to cope with stressful situations and ‘fit in’ with society)
  4. Have a positive attitude towards self
  5. Be autonomous / independent
  6. Have environmental mastery (successfully work and enjoy leisure time)
• • A limitation of deviation from ideal mental health is that the criteria are too demanding. For example, many people won’t be self-actualised and therefore most people would be judged as abnormal based on this definition of abnormality. This weakens the applicability of this definition of abnormality as it cannot truly identify those that are abnormal and leaves the question-how many characteristics should be lacking before a person is deemed to be abnormal.
• • Another limitation of deviation from ideal mental health as a definition of abnormality, is that it is culturally relative. This is because the ideal characteristics are rooted in desirable qualities in individualistic cultures.
• • For example, the criterion of self-actualisation is relevant only to individuals in cultures that strive for self-centred goals (individualistic cultures). Consequently, individuals from collectivist cultures who strive for the greater good of the community may be deemed to be abnormal because the criteria are culture-bound. For example, a highly intelligent person may not become a doctor or achieve his potential because they wish to work for the family business.