Deviation from ideal mental health (Definitions of Abnormality) Flashcards
what did Jahoda argue
Jahoda (1958) argued that we define physical illness by looking at the absence of signs of physical health and claimed that we should apply the same principles when diagnosing mental illness. She listed six criteria that she felt indicated psychological health.
what are Jahoda’s six criteria
Personal autonomy
Accurate perception of reality
Adapting to and mastering the environment
Positive attitudes towards the self
Self-actualisation of one’s potential
Resistance to stress
what is Personal autonomy
Personal autonomy: Self-reliant, independent, depending on one’s own resources.
what is Accurate perception of reality
Accurate perception of reality: Seeing oneself and the world in realistic and objective terms, rather than through ‘rose-tinted’ glasses.
what is Adapting to and mastering the environment
Adapting to and mastering the environment: Being competent in all areas of life: at work, in personal relationships and in leisure activities. Being flexible and adapting to change.
what is Positive attitudes towards the self
Positive attitudes towards the self: Positive self-concept and sense of identity; self-confidence; self-respect; self-acceptance; high self-esteem
what is Self-actualisation of one’s potential
Self-actualisation of one’s potential: Striving to fulfil one’s potential; personal growth.
what is Resistance to stress
Resistance to stress: The ability to tolerate anxiety; developing good coping strategies for dealing with stressful situations.
It sets an unrealistically high standard for mental health - Difficulty achieving all six criteria, all of the time. Which of Jahoda’s criteria might be more difficult to achieve?
P: Most people would find it difficult to achieve all six criteria, all of the time – they are too demanding/unrealistic.
E: For example, many people can find it difficult to achieve self-actualisation and experience personal growth all the time e.g. some individuals may be content working in Tesco’s, even if they have the potential to be a brain surgeon!
C: This therefore implies that few people are psychologically healthy and therefore most of us are abnormal! It is also unclear how many of the criteria you have to be lacking in order to be classed as mentally ill.
Resistance to stress. Why might some stress be beneficial?
Some people work more efficiently in moderately stressful situations e.g. imminent coursework deadline!
Cultural relativism. Are Jahoda’s criteria relevant to collectivist cultures?
P: Jahoda’s ideas are based on Western ideals of self-fulfilment and individuality.
E: For example, autonomy and self-actualisation are not valued in collectivist cultures. Why? What do collectivist cultures value and promote instead?
C: Therefore, these ideas are culture-bound as they only apply to individualist cultures.
Subjective criteria. Should we judge mental health in the same way we judge physical illness?
P: Several of the criteria are vague and difficult to measure, relying heavily on the self-reports of patients, which could be unreliable (highly subjective)…
E: …whereas physical health can be measured more objectively e.g. X-rays, blood tests.
C: This therefore undermines Jahoda’s ideas about measuring mental health in the same way as physical health.
Positive approach to judging mental health
Jahoda’s definition emphasises positive achievements rather than failures (e.g. Failure to function adequately) and stresses a positive approach to mental problems by focusing on what is desirable, rather than undesirable. Focuses on what to aim for rather than personal distress.
Takes a holistic approach:
‘Deviation from ideal mental health’ considers an individual as a whole person rather than focusing on individual areas of their behaviour. Considers many aspects of the individual as opposed to just their level of functioning or adherence to social norms.
