RE: DSM-IV AND CONSTRUCTIVISM

Lindsay Oades (Lindsay_Oades@uow.edu.au)
4 Sep 1995 20:33:53 +1000

To Jim and others,
Jim stated:
"The one incontrovertible "fact" is that the behavior is bothering
someone.So, why do we need a diagnostic system??? Why don't we simply say,
"This guy bothers someone, so let's try to change his behavior."
My question is what if the behaviour is not bothering anyone but the person
themselves? Where does such a person go to gain assistance in changing that
behaviour? Yes, they may go to a psychologist who does not use a diagnostic
system- would they however not be better served by a psychologist armed with a
set of professional constructs (in the Kellyan sense, rather than for
rhetorical value, if thats possible!) which could be used to guide how the
behaviour may be changed- like a transitive diagnosis?. Could not such a
system of professional constructs also include reference to morals and values?
Do we need to throw out nosology all together, or simply provide a non medical
system based on a constructivist philosophyto to rival the dominant system
(which I agree has the disturbing qualities that Jim claims).
So many questions, much uncertainty, the joy of constructivism???

Lindsay Oades
Wollongong
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Subject: Re: DSM-IV AND CONSTRUCTIVISM
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Date: Sun, 03 Sep 1995 17:32:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: "JAMES C. MANCUSO; PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY; UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY;
ALBANY, NEW
YORK" <JCM61@cnsvax.albany.edu>
Subject: Re: DSM-IV AND CONSTRUCTIVISM
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Lindsay, and other PCP Networkers:

In that you have been willing to give your ideas on how to proceed on a
nosology, I will offer one or two comments.
The basic problem, as I see it, is that the business of dealing with
unwanted behaviors has been turned over to the medical profession, and the
whole approach to working with problematic behavior has been cast in terms of
treatment.

Again, as I see it, this is a disguise for allowing the society to set
up institutions which are designed to alter behaviors. In this way, the
society
can carry on a moral function without pronouncing it as such. If we passed a
law which states, for example, that anyone who carries on a conversation with
a
dialogist who cannot be identified by at least two other persons will serve
two
years in prrison, we would have all kinds of civil rights groups moving in to
nullify that law. But, since a person dialoging with an "unseen other" does
bother members of the society, we can move in and try to alter the behavior,
if
we claim that that behavior is a "symptom" of a "disease," well, no, a
"disorder," no, not that either, a "dysfunction" (The "y" makes it a Greek
term, and that really proves that it is something "wrong" with the guy).
The one incontrovertible "fact" is that the behavior is bothering
someone.

So, why do we need a diagnostic system???

Why don't we simply say, "This guy bothers someone, so let's try to
change his behavior."

Then, of course, if we claim that we can change his/her behavior, we
had better be able to do so -- else, why should we get paid?????

Jim Mancuso

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