Lesson 4: Definitions of Abnormality - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Question 1

Who devised this model?

Answer 1

Marie Jahoda (1958)

Question 2

What is the deviation from ideal mental health model?

Answer 2

Derives from the Humanist approach which focuses on motivation and self development. For example in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, humans need to have their basic needs met before reaching self-actualisation.

People who deviate from having from having an ideal or optimal mental health can be classed as abnormal. Abnormality is linked to a lack of ‘contented existence’, and whether that person is able to reach self-actualisation.

Question 3

What are the six criteria?

Answer 3

Autonomy

Perception of reality

Personal Growth

Integration

Environmental mastery

Self attitudes

Question 4

Autonomy

Answer 4

Part of Jahoda’s Ideal Mental Health theory

This is the degree to which an individual is independent of social influences and can make their own decisions, like looking to others in ambiguous situations/not wanting to be the odd one out

Question 5

Perception of reality

Answer 5

Part of Jahoda’s Ideal Mental Health theory

This is a prime factor whereby mentally healthy people do not distort their perception of reality. They are not too optimistic or pessimistic and they show signs of empathy and social sensitivity towards others.

Question 6

Personal growth

Answer 6

Part of Jahoda’s Ideal Mental Health theory

The extent of an individuals growth, development and self-actualisation. This is becoming the type of person you aim to be.

Question 7

Integration

Answer 7

Part of Jahoda’s Ideal Mental Health theory

This means the person must be able to cope well with stressful situations and anxiety provoking situations.

Question 8

Environmental mastery

Answer 8

Part of Jahoda’s Ideal Mental Health theory

The extent to which an individual is successful and well-adapted. It includes the ability to love, work and play properly, maintain good personal relationships, efficient problem solving and capacity to adapt.

Question 9

Self attitudes

Answer 9

Part of Jahoda’s Ideal Mental Health theory

The extent to which someone has a strong sense of self-esteem and sense of identity.

Question 10

Strengths of Deviation from Ideal Health

Answer 10

• One strength is that the model can be seen as positive and productive and can help patients become psychologically healthy. It can be seen as a therapeutic goal that humans should strive for and aim to achieve.
• It has the advantage that it can highlight areas of dysfunction that the patient can work on. For example, they feel like they always look for validation, so they can work on their sense of autonomy, or their sense of self esteem. It can also highlight different mental illnesses, like a lack of positive self attitude can highlight signs of depression.

Question 11

Weaknesses of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Answer 11

• Deviation from ideal mental health can be seen as problematic as the six criteria are difficult to define and measure. For example how much ‘environmental mastery’ do you need to be seen as normal? Therefore it is not very scientific.
• Another negative of this definition is that it is very difficult to achieve all six criteria at the same time, therefore most people would be seen as abnormal.