Outline and evaluate failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health as definitions of
abnormality. Refer to the experiences of Rob in your answer. (Total 16 marks)
One of the definitions of abnormality is failure to function adequately. Failure to function adequately classes
abnormality as a person who is unable to function and cope with the demands of everyday living. According to
Seligman (1989) the signs that someone is not able to cope include: being severely distressed, displaying behaviour
that is irrational or dangerous to themselves or others and breaking interpersonal rules regarding eye contact and
personal space.
Another definition of abnormality is deviation from ideal mental health. Deviation from ideal mental health defines
abnormality as displaying any behaviour that differs from good psychological health. Jahoda outlined criteria which
would show if someone has ideal mental health. Some of these criteria include: self-actualisation, coping with stress,
good self esteem, an accurate perception of reality and independence. These criteria outline good mental health so
the more criteria that someone is unable to relate to, the more abnormal the person is.
Using Rob’s experiences and the failure to function adequately explanation of abnormality, it shows that Rob is
abnormal. An example of someone who is unable to function adequately is someone who is unable to cope with
everyday tasks. In Rob’s case, this is shown as he is unable to complete his homework properly and he appears
untidy. Rob is also abnormal by the criteria that Seligman proposed. Rob is showing signs of personal distress such as
feelings of anxiety and the voices making him feel frightened. He is also causing others distress as his parents and
teachers are noticing his signs of personal distress.
By using the deviation from ideal mental heath definition, Rob also shows signs of abnormality. By considering
Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health, Rob is abnormal as his perception of reality is not accurate as he is hearing
voices which aren’t real. These voices are also preventing Rob from reaching self-actualisation, which in Rob’s case is
going to university. Furthermore he is also not showing signs of coping with stress as his teachers and parents have
seen that he is anxious.
A strength of using the failure to function adequately definition to class abnormality is that it considers the patient’s
perspective. Judging whether someone is unable to cope is subjective and therefore not everyone who is classed
under this definition may need psychiatric help. This means that people who need help are able to get treated which
reducing unnecessary labelling that may adversely affect their life.
However, a limitation of this definition is that people who are classed as abnormal may not be in personal distress
and failing to function at every day tasks. Many people who do not fit into social norms due to an alternative lifestyle
but don’t have psychological abnormality. An example of this is a smoker. This is a maladaptive behaviour but isn’t a
sign of a mental illness. Even though this is classed as a danger to themselves, they don’t show the other signs of
abnormality in this definition e.g. not being able to hold down a job or relationships and unable to keep up with basic
hygiene. This means that people who are partaking in an alternative lifestyle are not causing themselves distress but
may have a label of abnormal thus affecting their life.
A strength of using the deviation from ideal mental health definition to explain abnormality is that it is a broad and
comprehensive explanation. The criteria that was proposed by Jahoda to show ideal mental health covers the
majority of the reasons to seek help for mental health. These criteria however are positive and show what ideal
mental health looks like. Therefore, this definition focuses on the positive side of mental health to show how to
improve mental health instead of what are the key symptoms of poor mental health.
A limitation of using this definition is that there is culture bias in Jahoda’s criteria. The criteria which include self-
actualisation and the importance of independence only apply to individualist cultures. Other cultures, like collectivist
cultures which put value on community rather than independence. Therefore, according to this definition, these
people and cultures would be viewed as abnormal. This means that this definition can’t be generalised to all cultures.
abnormality. Refer to the experiences of Rob in your answer. (Total 16 marks)
One of the definitions of abnormality is failure to function adequately. Failure to function adequately classes
abnormality as a person who is unable to function and cope with the demands of everyday living. According to
Seligman (1989) the signs that someone is not able to cope include: being severely distressed, displaying behaviour
that is irrational or dangerous to themselves or others and breaking interpersonal rules regarding eye contact and
personal space.
Another definition of abnormality is deviation from ideal mental health. Deviation from ideal mental health defines
abnormality as displaying any behaviour that differs from good psychological health. Jahoda outlined criteria which
would show if someone has ideal mental health. Some of these criteria include: self-actualisation, coping with stress,
good self esteem, an accurate perception of reality and independence. These criteria outline good mental health so
the more criteria that someone is unable to relate to, the more abnormal the person is.
Using Rob’s experiences and the failure to function adequately explanation of abnormality, it shows that Rob is
abnormal. An example of someone who is unable to function adequately is someone who is unable to cope with
everyday tasks. In Rob’s case, this is shown as he is unable to complete his homework properly and he appears
untidy. Rob is also abnormal by the criteria that Seligman proposed. Rob is showing signs of personal distress such as
feelings of anxiety and the voices making him feel frightened. He is also causing others distress as his parents and
teachers are noticing his signs of personal distress.
By using the deviation from ideal mental heath definition, Rob also shows signs of abnormality. By considering
Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health, Rob is abnormal as his perception of reality is not accurate as he is hearing
voices which aren’t real. These voices are also preventing Rob from reaching self-actualisation, which in Rob’s case is
going to university. Furthermore he is also not showing signs of coping with stress as his teachers and parents have
seen that he is anxious.
A strength of using the failure to function adequately definition to class abnormality is that it considers the patient’s
perspective. Judging whether someone is unable to cope is subjective and therefore not everyone who is classed
under this definition may need psychiatric help. This means that people who need help are able to get treated which
reducing unnecessary labelling that may adversely affect their life.
However, a limitation of this definition is that people who are classed as abnormal may not be in personal distress
and failing to function at every day tasks. Many people who do not fit into social norms due to an alternative lifestyle
but don’t have psychological abnormality. An example of this is a smoker. This is a maladaptive behaviour but isn’t a
sign of a mental illness. Even though this is classed as a danger to themselves, they don’t show the other signs of
abnormality in this definition e.g. not being able to hold down a job or relationships and unable to keep up with basic
hygiene. This means that people who are partaking in an alternative lifestyle are not causing themselves distress but
may have a label of abnormal thus affecting their life.
A strength of using the deviation from ideal mental health definition to explain abnormality is that it is a broad and
comprehensive explanation. The criteria that was proposed by Jahoda to show ideal mental health covers the
majority of the reasons to seek help for mental health. These criteria however are positive and show what ideal
mental health looks like. Therefore, this definition focuses on the positive side of mental health to show how to
improve mental health instead of what are the key symptoms of poor mental health.
A limitation of using this definition is that there is culture bias in Jahoda’s criteria. The criteria which include self-
actualisation and the importance of independence only apply to individualist cultures. Other cultures, like collectivist
cultures which put value on community rather than independence. Therefore, according to this definition, these
people and cultures would be viewed as abnormal. This means that this definition can’t be generalised to all cultures.
