MENTAL HEALTH
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Statistical Infrequency
• One definition of abnormality is that it is a deviation from a statistically determined norm.
• This means that behaviors that occur infrequently are classed as 'abnormal.'
• Just because specific behaviors may be statistically 'normal' does not mean that they are
desirable. For example, people may experience symptoms of depression however, we would
not refer to them as 'normal'.
Deviation from Social Norms
• What is considered normal is determined by our society's view of how we ought to act.
• In any society there are standards of acceptable social behavior, and when people deviate
from these standards, then they are classed as 'abnormal'.
Failure to function properly
• Not being able to go about day-to-day activities is another indicator of abnormality.
• This could be the inability to do everyday tasks like eating, dressing oneself, going
out…failure to engage in everyday tasks may cause distress to the individual and to people
around them.
Deviation from ideal mental health
• Marie Jahoda suggested that for people to feel mentally healthy, they need to fit into all the
below criteria.
• The absence of any one of these criteria indicates abnormality.
o Six criteria for good mental health
• Self-attitudes
• Personal growth and self-actualization
• Integration
• Autonomy
• Having and accurate perception of reality
• Control over environment
• Jahoda explains concepts more about mental health instead of mental illness.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Statistical Infrequency
• One definition of abnormality is that it is a deviation from a statistically determined norm.
• This means that behaviors that occur infrequently are classed as 'abnormal.'
• Just because specific behaviors may be statistically 'normal' does not mean that they are
desirable. For example, people may experience symptoms of depression however, we would
not refer to them as 'normal'.
Deviation from Social Norms
• What is considered normal is determined by our society's view of how we ought to act.
• In any society there are standards of acceptable social behavior, and when people deviate
from these standards, then they are classed as 'abnormal'.
Failure to function properly
• Not being able to go about day-to-day activities is another indicator of abnormality.
• This could be the inability to do everyday tasks like eating, dressing oneself, going
out…failure to engage in everyday tasks may cause distress to the individual and to people
around them.
Deviation from ideal mental health
• Marie Jahoda suggested that for people to feel mentally healthy, they need to fit into all the
below criteria.
• The absence of any one of these criteria indicates abnormality.
o Six criteria for good mental health
• Self-attitudes
• Personal growth and self-actualization
• Integration
• Autonomy
• Having and accurate perception of reality
• Control over environment
• Jahoda explains concepts more about mental health instead of mental illness.
