Precis of The Rationality of Psychological Disorders: Psychobizarreness Theory

Abstract

<p>Abstract (long) <p>In his book, The Rationality of Psychological Disorders, Rofé (2000) reviews the three major schools of psychopathology and finds that they lack empirical validation and are unable to account for fundamental theoretical issues. Therefore, an integrative theory of psychopathology, termed Psychobizarreness Theory (PBT), was proposed. PBT defines neurotic disorders as bizarre behaviors, using five operational diagnostic criteria, and claims that these symptoms are coping mechanisms, which patients consciously and rationally select when confronted with unbearable levels of stress. Like psychoanalysis, PBT views repression as the key to understanding neuroses. However, in PBT repression is defined in conscious terms, in accordance with experimental and research data, and thus, the symptom constitutes a distractive maneuver employed to eliminate stress-related thoughts from attention. Hence, repression is the consequence rather than the cause of neurotic symptoms. Nevertheless, patients are unaware of their repressive endeavors due to sophisticated self-deceptive processes. Furthermore, PBT equates the process of symptom selection with economic decisions, whereby a certain ‘product’ is chosen according to the individual’s needs, available ‘merchandise’ and cost-benefit analysis. The theory also integrates the various forms of therapy into one theoretical model, accounting for their efficacy in conscious, rational terms. Overall, PBT synthesizes a large amount of research and clinical data and may settle the long and bitter dispute in the field of psychopathology. <p>Abstract (short) <p> <p>This article presents a concise formulation of Psychobizarreness Theory (PBT) of neuroses, published by Rofé (2000) in his book The Rationality of Psychological Disorders. PBT distinguishes between bizarre behaviors, consisting of neuroses and psychoses, and non-bizarre behavioral deviations, such as simple phobia. Patients consciously and rationally select neurotic symptoms when confronted with unbearable levels of stress. The symptoms enable patients to block/repress stress-related thoughts from attention and enhance their control over their social environment. Patients become unaware of their deliberate involvement due to sophisticated self-deceptive mechanisms. This theory also integrates the various forms of therapy into one theoretical framework.