Debate and discuss what it means for a child to have a psychological disorder, given the fact that what is abnormal remains challenging to define.

What does it mean to have
a disorder? The text mentions several criteria used to define behavior as
“abnormal.” However, many psychologists argue that these criteria are
unclear and leave considerable room for interpretation. For example, Wakefield
(1997) states that “lack of a valid concept of disorder is not just
conceptually and methodologically problematic; it is potentially ethically
problematic as well. Classification of a condition as disordered has
ramifications ranging from those of ‘labeling’ a child or adult as disordered
to determinations of whether it is appropriate to treat the condition with
drugs” (p. 271)
Familiarize yourself with
this important debate and discuss what it means for a child to have a
psychological disorder, given the fact that what is abnormal remains
challenging to define.
Reference
Wakefield, J. (1997).
When is development disordered? Developmental psychopathology and the harmful
dysfunction analysis of mental disorder. Development and
Psychopathology, 9, 269-290.

Last Completed Projects