4.1.4a - Abnormality Definitons: Failure to Function Adequately & Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Monday 15th January ‘24

Failure to Function Adequately

• Occurs when someone is unable to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living.

• David Rosenhan & Martin Seligman’s (1989) signs of not coping.

  • Person no longer conforms to standard interpersonal rules, eg maintaing eye contact and respecting personal space.

  • Person experiences severe personal distress.

  • Person has behaviours which become irrational or dangerous to themselves ot others.

• AO3

  • Considers lots of factors

  • Doesn’t consider circumstances.

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

• Once we have a picture of who should be psychologically healthy, then we can begin to identify who deviates from this idea.

• A very different way to look at normality and abnormality is to ignore the issue of what najes someone abnormal but instead think about what makes anyone ‘normal’.

• Marie Jahoda (1958) suggest that we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria:

  • No symptoms of distress

  • Rational and can perceive ourselves accurately

  • Self-actualisation (strive to reach out potential)

  • Cope with stress

  • Realistic view of the world

  • Good self-esteem and lack guilt

  • Independent of other people

  • Successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure.