definitions of abnormality 2

Question 1

Failure to function adequately

Answer 1

• can no longer cope with the demands of everyday life

Question 2

rosenham and seligman

Answer 2

proposed additional signs that can be used to determine when someone isn’t coping:
- a person no longer confirms to standard interpersonal rules e.g. maintaining eye contact
- a person experiences severe personal distress
- a persons behaviour becomes irrational or dangerous to themselves or others

Question 3

Deviation from ideal mental health

Answer 3

what makes anyone ‘normal’

Question 4

Failure to function adequately evaluation point: represents a threshold for help

Answer 4

• most have symptoms of mental disorder to a degree
• mental health charity mind - 25% of people in the Uk will experience a mental health problem
• at the point we cease to function adequately people tend to seek professional help or are noticed and referred for help
• criterion means treatment and services can be targeted to those who need them most

Question 5

Failure to function adequately evaluation point: discrimination and social control

Answer 5

• easy to label non-standard lifestyle choices as abnormal
• can be hard to say when someone is failing to function and when they have chosen to just deviate from social norms
• people who make unusual choices can be labelled abnormal and their freedom of choice may be restricted

Question 6

Ideal mental health evaluation point: comprehensive definition

Answer 6

• highly comprehensive
• jahodas ideal mental health has a range of criteria for distinguishing mental health from illness
• a persons mental health can be meaningfully discussed and with a range of professionals who might take different theoretical views
• ideal mental health provides a checklist which we can use to assess ourselves and others

Question 7

Ideal mental health evaluation point: culture bound

Answer 7

• different elements aren’t equally applicable across a range of cultures
• some if the criteria is located in context of USA and Western Europe
• in particular self-actualisation would be dismissed as self-indulgent in much of the world
• even within western surprise there is variation in value placed on personal independence
• difficult to apply ideal mental health from one culture to another

Question 8

when do we decide someone cannot function adaquately?

Answer 8

they can’t maintain basic standards of nutrition and hygiene also cannot hold down a job or maintain relationships

Question 9

Jahoda - ideal mental health:

Answer 9

• no symptoms of distress
• rational and perceive ourselves accurately
• self-actualise (strive to reach potential)
• can cope with stress
• realistic view of the world
• good self-esteem and lack guilt
• independent
• successfully enjoy work, love and enjoy leisure