Lesson 4 - Deviation from Ideal Mental Health Flashcards
What is ‘Deviation from Ideal Mental Health’?
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health was a definition created by Jahoda, where there are 6 criteria that a person must have, in order for that person to be deemed as having ‘positive mental health’.
What are Jahoda’s 6 Criteria (APPIES)?
Autonomy - This is the degree to which an individual is independent of social influences and can make their own decisions
Perception of Reality - This is the degree to which someone perceives reality correctly, is not overly optimistic or pessimistic, and they show empathy and social sensitivity to others.
Personal Growth - This is the extent of an individual’s growth, development or self actualisation. This about becoming the type of person that they aim to be.
Integration - This integrates the criteria of self attitude and personal growth together. The person must be able to cope well with stressful and anxiety provoking situations.
Environmental Mastery - This is the extent to which an individual is successful and well adapted. It includes the ability to love, adequacy at work and play, and other second and third tier human functions (Maslow’s HON).
Self Attitudes - High self esteem and a strong sense of identity.
Evaluation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (Strength) - It incites positivity and productivity.
This definition can be viewed as positive and productive. It states what the ideal criteria are, and what we should aim for in order to be psychologically healthy. It could be seen as a therapeutic goal that humans should strive for and aim to achieve, and seeing as self actualisation is the pinnacle of the human mental state, every human should attempt to achieve it.
Evaluation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (Strength) - Highlight areas for improvement
This definition can help highlight areas of dysfunction that a patient can work on, in the hopes of improving their life. This can be very important when treating different types of disorders. For example, if someone does not possess the criteria of ‘self attitudes’, this may be a symptom of depression, and can help the psychologist act accordingly.
Evaluation of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health (Weakness) - Abnormal and subjective criteria
This definition can be problematic in the sense that it is abstract and not scientific. The concepts are difficult to measure, and they can be quite vague. ‘Environmental mastery’ and ‘self attitudes’ are part of what is needed to be psychologically healthy, but to what degree?
