A behavior analytic conceptualization of personality disorders: a response to Clark, Livesley, and Morey

Clark, Livesley, and Morey critically analyze some of the deficiencies in the DSM approach to classifying personality disorders that derive from the fact that the construct of personality disorders is inadequately specified. This response agrees with their criticism, but argues that any significant improvement will have to entail a theory based taxonomy. A taxonomic system must eventually be explained rather than be an explanation for behavior. The theory chosen must relate to the goals of those creating the classification system. This paper suggests that a taxonomic system that is tied to an experimentally based set of behavioral principles, and can provide treatment utility, would have advantages over DSM-IV. The paper than presents the outline of a classification system founded on behavior analytic principles.