Definitions of Abnormality 2 Flashcards
Define Failure to function adequately
Occurs when someone is unable to cope either ordinary demands of everyday living for example unable to maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene.
Rosenhan and seligman proposed some signs that can be used to determined when someone isnt coping these included
When a person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules e.g maintaining eye contact and respecting personal space
When a person experienced severe personal distress
When a person’s behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others
Define deviation from ideal mental health
Occurs when someone doesnt meant a set criteria for good mental health jahoda suggests were in good.mental health if we meet for example,
We self actualise
We have bo symptoms or distress
We can cope with stress
AO3- is it simply a deviation from social norms?
It can be hard to say when someone is really failing to function and when they are just deviating from social norms. For example those who practice extreme spotrs could be accused of behaving in a maladaptive way, whilst those with religious or supernatural beliefs could be seen as irrational. If we treat these behaviours as ‘failures’ of adequate functioning, we risk limiting personal freedom and discriminating against minority groups
AO3-Comprehensive definition
A strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that it’s very comprehensive. It covers abroad range of criteria for mental health. In fact it probably covers most of the reasons someone would seek help from mental health services or be referred for help. The sheer range of factors discussed I’m relation to Jahoda’s ideal mental health make it s good tool for thinking about mental health.
AO3-it sets and unrealistically high standard for mental health
Very few of us attain all Jahoda’s criteria for mental health , and probably none of us achieve all of them at the same time or keep them up for very long time. Therefore this approach would see pretty much all of us as abnormal. On the positive side it makes clear to people the way in which they could benefit from seeking treatment to improve their mental health.
