title: A new approach to psychopathology.
abstract: A new approach to psychopathology based on the psychology of integration as applied to psychological states is outlined. Because all raw behavior occurs only in the form of psychological states, all formulations of psychopathology must refer to integrative disorders that are postulated to underlie all pathological or defective behaviors. Disintegration is the one common factor found in all mental disorders. Lack of integration underlies most inadaptability. The classical field of psychopathology, which formerly was limited to the consideration of formal psychiatric disorders, now is expanded to include deficits, imbalances and disintegrations of acute or chornic nature that result in erroneous or less than perfect judgments. Judgment is considered to reflect the quality of underlying integrative processes. Judgmental defects that lead to maladaptive decisions inevitably must result in maladjustment and/or less than perfect performance. It is necessary to differentiate between (a) integrative disorders per se, and (b) the personal-social effects of positive or negative integrations organized by healthy or unhealthy factors. Criminals may be well integrated in their asocial activities, but socially undesirable because organized about the criminal ethic. Postulates are presented that outline the theoretical assumptions upon which integrative psychopathology is based. This approach utilizes classic theories such as the Freudian psychopathology of everyday life when valid and relevant within the larger framework of integrative psychology. A differentiation is made between hierarchical levels of increasingly complex factors that may organize integration.
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D001519:Behavior; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003071:Cognition; D003657:Decision Making; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008019:Life Style; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010551:Personality; D011599:Psychopathology; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment