Beyond the psychiatric principle: a proposal for a psychological paradigm for the description and classification of...

Dissatisfaction with the psychiatric system of classification of psychopathology has existed for decades. The many revisions have not rectified the many problems. An entirely different paradigm for the description and classification of psychopathology seemed necessary. Based on research, a proposal for a psychological system of classification of psychopathology is offered, one based on disorder in cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. A program of research to test the validity and heuristic value of this system is discussed.