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NORMAL DEVIATIONS FROM REALITY

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.114.5.439

The foregoing discussion is concerned with normal deviations from reality in contemporary social life and the useful purposes which these serve. The author is not in agreement with those who believe that good mental health must be based upon realistic conceptions of environment and self. It is the present theory that individuals and groups normally develop biases consistent with their standards and purposes. This tendency involves elements of unreality but it favors mental health and high morale in society.

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