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Understanding Mental Health & Mental Illness

Clinical psychology fundamentally relies on defining abnormality. Since no single definition suffices, clinicians use integrated frameworks to assess mental states and behaviour.

Core Definitions of Abnormality

The field uses four key concepts to decide when behaviour or mental states are abnormal:

1

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Focuses on the absence of specific health qualities.
2

Deviation from Social/Cultural Norms

Behaviour that breaks unwritten social rules.
3

Failure to Function Adequately

Inability to cope with everyday demands.
4

Statistical Infrequency

Behaviour or characteristics that are statistically rare.

Ideal Mental Health (Jahoda, 1958)

Abnormality is defined by the failure to meet one or more of these criteria for ideal psychological well-being:

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Positive Self-Attitude or Self-Actualisation

Having high self-esteem and a strong sense of identity.
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Resistance to Stress

Being able to cope effectively with stress and adversity.
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Autonomy

Ability to make independent decisions without undue influence from others.
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Accurate Perception of Reality

Seeing the world, oneself and others clearly, without distortion.
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Adapting to the Environment

Successfully meeting the demands of everyday life.
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Environmental Mastery

The capacity to manipulate or control one’s surroundings to meet needs.

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health: Evaluation

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The Strengths This approach is positive and focuses on what defines health rather than illness. It provides a comprehensive checklist to assess mental health.
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The Limitations It sets a very high standard; very few people achieve all criteria all of the time. It is culturally biased. It can be difficult to measure some criteria objectively.

Deviation from Social/Cultural Norms

What is Social Deviance?

This definition identifies abnormality when behaviour breaks the unwritten social rules or norms that govern acceptable behaviour in a society or culture.

For example, in Western cultures, talking to oneself loudly in public may be seen as abnormal, whereas in some other cultures, it may not. Social deviance includes behaviour that is unpredictable or violates moral, ethical, or legal standards of the group.

Deviation from Social Norms: Evaluation

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The Strengths It takes into account the context of behaviour; abnormality is defined relative to social expectations. It can explain why different cultures have different definitions of mental health and illness.
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The Limitations Social norms change over time. It can be problematic because social norms can be used to oppress minority groups. There is no universal set of norms, so this definition lacks consistency and objectivity.

Failure to Function: Identifying Features

Rosenhan and Seligman (1989) proposed a list of features to identify failure to function:

1

Personal Distress

Experiencing anxiety, depression, or other distress.
2

Maladaptive Behaviour

Behaviour that interferes with well-being or goal achievement.
3

Irrational or Unpredictable Behaviour

Actions incomprehensible to others or out of context.
4

Observer Discomfort

Behaviour that causes distress to others.
5

Violation of Moral Standards

Actions that contradict societal ethical standards.
6

Unconventionality

Behaviour regarded as strange or odd.

Failure to Function Adequately: Evaluation

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The Strengths Very practical; focuses on the individual’s ability to live independently and participate in society. Includes the perspective of the individual and those around them.
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The Limitations Subjective judgments are involved about what counts as “adequate” functioning. People may function adequately but still experience distress or mental illness. Certain behaviours (e.g., extreme sports) may seem maladaptive but are not abnormal.

Defining Abnormality by Rarity

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Statistical Infrequency

This definition identifies abnormality as behaviour or psychological characteristics that are statistically rare or uncommon within a population.
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Reliance on Measurement

Relies on measuring traits or behaviours (e.g., IQ scores) and classifying those far away from the average as abnormal.

Statistical Infrequency: Evaluation

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The Strengths It is objective and based on quantitative measurement. Provides clear cut-offs for many conditions, like IQ in intellectual disability.
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The Limitations Some rare behaviours are positive or desired (e.g., high intelligence), so not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal. The 'cut-off' point is arbitrary. Some common behaviours can still be abnormal (e.g., depression).

Overall Comparison and Clinical Practice

Integrating Definitions in Clinical Settings

Each definition has strengths and drawbacks, and each captures different facets of abnormality. In practice, clinical psychologists often integrate several definitions to assess mental health, since reliance on one alone may be insufficient.

Understanding these definitions helps shape diagnosis, treatment, and how society views mental health.
Definitions & Concepts of Abnormality
Term
Jahoda’s Model Definition of Mental Health

What is the definition of mental health according to Jahoda’s model?

Answer
Definition

Mental health is defined by the presence of qualities like positive self-attitude, resistance to stress, autonomy, accurate perception of reality, adapting to the environment, and environmental mastery.

Term
Deviation from Social Norms

What does "deviation from social norms" mean in mental health?

Answer
Definition

It means behavior that breaks the unwritten social rules or cultural expectations of acceptable behavior.

Term
Strength of Failure to Function Adequately

Name one strength of the "failure to function adequately" definition.

Answer
Strength

It is practical and focuses on an individual’s ability to live independently and participate in society.

Term
Limitation of Statistical Infrequency

What is a limitation of using statistical infrequency to define abnormality?

Answer
Limitation

Some rare behaviours can be positive (e.g., high intelligence), so not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal.

Term
Four Key Concepts of Abnormality

What are the four key concepts used to decide when behavior or mental states are abnormal?

Answer
Key Concepts

Deviation from ideal mental health, deviation from social/cultural norms, failure to function adequately, and statistical infrequency.

Term
Criticism of Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Why is deviation from ideal mental health sometimes criticized?

Answer
Criticism

Because it sets an unrealistically high standard and is culturally biased.

Term
Cultural Variations in Abnormality

What example illustrates a behavior considered abnormal in one culture but normal in another?

Answer
Example

Talking loudly to oneself in public is abnormal in Western cultures but may be normal in others.

Term
Observer Discomfort

What does "observer discomfort" refer to in failure to function adequately?

Answer
Definition

Behavior that causes distress or discomfort to others observing it.

Term
Measuring Statistical Infrequency

How is "statistical infrequency" measured?

Answer
Method

By measuring traits or behaviors in a population and identifying those that are rare or uncommon.

Term
Limitations of Single Definitions

Why might relying on only one definition of abnormality be insufficient?

Answer
Reason

Because each definition covers different aspects of abnormality and has its own limitations.

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🧠 Abnormal Psychology Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT one of Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health?

Statistical infrequency is a separate concept used to define abnormality, not one of Jahoda’s criteria.

2. Which definition of abnormality focuses on whether a person can manage daily life effectively?

This definition centers on an individual’s ability to live and function independently.

3. True or False: All behaviors that are statistically infrequent are considered abnormal.

Some statistically rare behaviors may be positive, such as high intelligence, so not all infrequent behaviors are abnormal.

4. What is a major limitation of the deviation from social norms definition?

Social norms have been historically used to label minority groups as abnormal unjustly.

5. Short Answer: Explain why the deviation from ideal mental health approach might be culturally biased.

Because some criteria like autonomy are valued differently across cultures, so the standard of “ideal” mental health may not apply universally.

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