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This well-known social psychologist has undertaken the difficult though important task of examining the various current notions of mental health. She rightly points out that the idea of mental health is concerned with man as he ought to be. Much of the confusion arises from the failure to state whether one is talking about mental health as an enduring attribute of a person or as a momentary attribute of functioning. Absence of mental disease has most frequently been regarded as the only reliable criterion, especially by medical men. Psychologists and psycho-analysts have attempted to define mental health in positive terms. Jones's and Hartmann's criteria are quoted in this context. Attitudes towards the self, self-actualization, integration, autonomy, perception of reality, mastery of the environment are discussed as possible criteria. The author agrees with Hartmann and others that there are various types of mental health. She favours the 'multiple criterion approach' and finds Erikson's developmental propositions most helpful. Like other social psychologists, she emphasizes the value dilemma implied in the concepts of mental health, and she makes some useful suggestions for research. This book is a valuable contribution to the clarification of a basic concept. Dr. Jahoda's criticism of current concepts is constructive and helpful. Those who deride the efforts to define mental health in positive terms tend to forget that physical health is no less elusive a concept.