Abnormality : Deviation From Ideal Mental Health Flashcards
What approach does this definition stem from?
The humanist approach which focuses on motivation and self development.
What is self actualisation?
Humans should strive to achieve to their full potential. Normal people would strive to be achieve a series of goals or meets in order to reach self actualisation.
Why did Marie Jahoda use the 6 criteria?
She argued that the concepts of ‘abnormality’ and ‘normality’ are not very useful as they are too vague and general.
What are the 6 criteria?
PAPIES
Perception of reality Autonomy Personal growth Integration Environmental mastery Self attitudes
How do the criteria decide if a person is abnormal or normal?
All 6 of the criteria need to be fulfilled at the same time for a person to be normal. If even one is not met, then they are abnormal.
Give a description and example of a normal person not meeting the criteria of autonomy
Description: the degree to which an individual is independent of social influences and can make their own decisions.
Example : asking someone for advice or guidance
Give a description and example of a normal person not meeting the criteria of perception of reality
Description : no distortion to perception of reality; not too optimistic and not too pessimistic. Show signs of empathy and social sensitivity to others.
Example : when people are drunk
Give a description and example of a normal person not meeting the criteria of personal growth
Description : the extent of an individuals growth, development or self actualisation. Becoming the type of person you aim to be.
Example: some people may not get the grades they need to get into uni. Some people can’t afford it.
Give a description and example of a normal person not meeting the criteria of integration
Description : integrates criteria of self attitude and personal growth together. Must be able to deal with stressful situations and anxiety provoking situations.
Example : when someone dies, especially loved ones, people go into mourning, which is often a time of stress and anxiety
Give a description and example of a normal person not meeting the criteria of environmental mastery
Description : extent to which an individual is successful and well adapted. It includes the ability to love, adequacy at work and play, good interpersonal relations, efficient problem solving and capacity for adjustment.
Example : things don’t work out all the time - businesses, friendships, relationships. It’s unavoidable.
Give a description and example of a normal person not meeting the criteria of self attitudes
Description : High self esteem and strong sense of identity
Example : person just gone through a break up and now has low self esteem
What are the advantages of this definition?
- the model can be viewed as being positive and productive. It focuses on ideal or optimal criteria that we should all aim and strive for in order to be psychologically healthy. It could be seen as a therapeutic goal. Self actualisation is a positive trait that every human should try to accomplish.
- it can highlight and target areas of dysfunction that the patient can work on and improve in their life. This can be important when treating different types of disorders, for instance people who do not posses the criteria of ‘self attitudes’ might be showing signs of depression. This can therefore highlight the area of dysfunction to both the patient and the psychologist.
What are the negatives of this definition?
- it can be viewed as problematic. The criteria are based on abstract concepts and ideals, and are difficult to define and measure. At what point could we say that the criteria have not been met and therefore the person is abnormal? The model is not very objective or scientific
- also problematic as very few people can actually achieve all of the 6 criteria at any one time. Therefore many of us would be classed as abnormal ; and we could argue that it would be ‘normal’ to be ‘abnormal’. To sustain and meet all of the 6 criteria at any one time could be deemed as quite impossible or very difficult.
