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social science subjects > psychology > abnormal psychology > psychopathology
... > social science subjects > psychology > behavior mechanisms > human development > mental health, mental disorders, and special groups > psychopathology
social science subjects > health and social care > health sciences > pathology > psychopathology
... > social science subjects > health and social care > medical science > medicine > pathology > psychopathology
... > other subjects > natural sciences > life sciences > medical science > medicine > pathology > psychopathology

Preferred term

psychopathology  

Definition

  • Psychopathology is often defined as the presence of mental illness or disease, but as a research endeavor, psychopathology can be understood more broadly to refer to the study of abnormal behavior. Defining behavior as abnormal, such that it might be termed a mental disorder, is an inherently challenging endeavor. [Source: Encyclopedia of Human Development; Psychopathology]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/psychopathology

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