✏️Definitions of abnormality (2)
Failure to function adequately is one definition of abnormality. A person might become 'abnormal'
when they can no longer deal with the demands of everyday life. Examples of this are holding down
basic standards of nutrition and hygiene, or maintaining a job or relationship. When someone is
struggling to cope they show severe personal distress and may behave in irrational or dangerous
ways. An example is intellectual disability disorder. A diagnosis would require statistical infrequency
to be diagnosed but also require a person to be showing signs that they cannot cope with the
demands of life.
Deviation from ideal mental health is another definition of abnormality. Looking at what is classed as
ideal mental health can then help diagnose people as abnormal, since they may not fit the criteria
for ideal mental health. Jahoda came up with criteria for ideal mental health, and anyone who
doesn't fit these 8 criteria could be classed as 'abnormal'. The criteria are: we have no symptoms or
distress, we are rational and perceive ourselves accurately, we self-actualise, we can cope with
stress, we have a realistic view of the world, we have good self-esteem and lack guilt, we are
independent of other people, we can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure. Someone's
inability to keep a job could be a failure to function since they can't keep up with the pressures of
work, but could also be a deviation from the ideals of working successfully. This means that the
definitions can sometimes overlap.
A strength of failure to function is that it can be a threshold for professional help. At least 25% of
people experience symptoms of a mental disorder every year. Most of the time people just carry on
but when people can no longer function properly then they can be referred for professional help.
This means that failure to function can give targeted treatment to people who need professional
help the most.
However, a limitation is that the definition can lead to discrimination and social control. It is hard to
distinguish the difference between failure to function and a conscious effort to deviate from social
norms. Some people might take part in high-risk activities or live off the grid as a lifestyle choice,
whilst for others, this might be a sign of mental distress. This means that people who make an effort
to be different might be labelled as abnormal, making their freedom of choice restricted.
A strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that it is comprehensive. The list is long and
detailed and includes a wide range of reasons why people might need to seek professional help. This
means that mental health can be diagnosed and discussed with the right type of professional. This
means that the criteria provide a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others.
A limitation of deviation from ideal mental health is that it might be culture-bound. Some of the
criteria might only apply in the US and Europe. For example, self-actualisation isn't recognised in
many parts of the world. Even in Europe, there are variations in the value of independence.
Independence is valued as more important in Germany, but less important in Italy. This means that
it's hard to apply the concept of ideal mental health across different cultures.
Failure to function adequately is one definition of abnormality. A person might become 'abnormal'
when they can no longer deal with the demands of everyday life. Examples of this are holding down
basic standards of nutrition and hygiene, or maintaining a job or relationship. When someone is
struggling to cope they show severe personal distress and may behave in irrational or dangerous
ways. An example is intellectual disability disorder. A diagnosis would require statistical infrequency
to be diagnosed but also require a person to be showing signs that they cannot cope with the
demands of life.
Deviation from ideal mental health is another definition of abnormality. Looking at what is classed as
ideal mental health can then help diagnose people as abnormal, since they may not fit the criteria
for ideal mental health. Jahoda came up with criteria for ideal mental health, and anyone who
doesn't fit these 8 criteria could be classed as 'abnormal'. The criteria are: we have no symptoms or
distress, we are rational and perceive ourselves accurately, we self-actualise, we can cope with
stress, we have a realistic view of the world, we have good self-esteem and lack guilt, we are
independent of other people, we can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure. Someone's
inability to keep a job could be a failure to function since they can't keep up with the pressures of
work, but could also be a deviation from the ideals of working successfully. This means that the
definitions can sometimes overlap.
A strength of failure to function is that it can be a threshold for professional help. At least 25% of
people experience symptoms of a mental disorder every year. Most of the time people just carry on
but when people can no longer function properly then they can be referred for professional help.
This means that failure to function can give targeted treatment to people who need professional
help the most.
However, a limitation is that the definition can lead to discrimination and social control. It is hard to
distinguish the difference between failure to function and a conscious effort to deviate from social
norms. Some people might take part in high-risk activities or live off the grid as a lifestyle choice,
whilst for others, this might be a sign of mental distress. This means that people who make an effort
to be different might be labelled as abnormal, making their freedom of choice restricted.
A strength of deviation from ideal mental health is that it is comprehensive. The list is long and
detailed and includes a wide range of reasons why people might need to seek professional help. This
means that mental health can be diagnosed and discussed with the right type of professional. This
means that the criteria provide a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others.
A limitation of deviation from ideal mental health is that it might be culture-bound. Some of the
criteria might only apply in the US and Europe. For example, self-actualisation isn't recognised in
many parts of the world. Even in Europe, there are variations in the value of independence.
Independence is valued as more important in Germany, but less important in Italy. This means that
it's hard to apply the concept of ideal mental health across different cultures.
