Personality and Psychopathology: Feminist Reappraisals - Paperback

by Laura S. Brown (Editor), Mary Ballou (Editor)

Synthesizing decades of feminist thinking, this volume presents original critiques of mainstream theories of personality and psychopathology. Part I examines the limitations that underlie traditional views of human nature, including their lack of accounting for the contextual and structural forces that affect human development. Part II homes in on traditional views of mental health and disorder. Addressing several large categories of psychopathology--depression, schizophrenia, agoraphobia, personality disorders, and trauma--chapters provide a feminist alternative to prevailing conceptualizations. Questioning the very foundations of our ideas about maladaptive behavior, authors argue for building new models that define distress in a more complex, contextual manner. This book presents a pioneering feminist perspective on the theoretical and conceptual foundations of treatment. It is indispensable reading for therapists of all disciplines, and serves as a text for upper-level courses in personality, psychopathology, and the psychology of women.

Back Jacket

Under the scrutiny of feminist theory, traditional theories of personality and psychopathology are shown to be inadequate primarily because the theories reflect the biased cultural norms in which they were developed. Some limitations include their constricted views of human nature, their narrowly constructed definitions of mental health and mental disorder, and their lack of accounting for the many forces that affect human development and functioning. Synthesizing over 20 years of feminist thinking, this volume presents original critiques of mainstream psychological theories and lays the groundwork for the development of a context-based, feminist psychological theory. The first and only volume to present a specifically feminist perspective on the theoretical and conceptual foundations of treatment, Personality and Psychopathology is an essential text for upper-level courses in personality, psychopathology, and the psychology of women. Providing invaluable insights, it is necessary reading for mainstream and feminist therapists of all disciplines.

Author Biography

Laura Brown, University of Washington, and Mary Ballou, Northeastern University