Theorising Mental Disorder: A Sociological Approach
Theorising Mental Disorder: A Sociological Approach

Summary/Abstract: The article introduces and critically discusses major sociological ideas on the concept of mental disorder. Starting with Parsonian ‘sick role’ and illness as deviance, the article proceeds with labelling theory and further on with Foucault’s conceptualisation of madness as an opposition to reason. Conflict approach on mental disorder is presented as based on belief that structural inequality is one of the major sources of suffering in modern society. Constructivist critique makes an emphasis on the fragile, incoherent nature of the categories of mental disorder.

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