The Social Institution of Insanity

Bibliographic Data

ID23712616
EditorsThomas J Scheff
Year2017
Pages69-98
Publication date2017-09-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeCHAPTER
VenueBeing Mentally Ill (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.4324/9781351328241-5
OpenAlexW3012239829
ISBN9781351328241
LanguageEN
References cited11

This chapter discusses a sociological theory of the causation of stable mental disorder. Since the evidence advanced in support of the theory was scattered and fragmentary, it can only be suggested as a stimulus to further discussion and research. In many social-psychological discussions, however, role-playing is considered as a part of a social system. The social role complements and reflects the status of the insane in the social structure. The transmission of stereotyped imagery in the mass media and ordinary conversation may throw light on a question that has been hotly debated; whether the symptoms of mental disorder are inherent or learned. Judging from the frequency with which references to mental disorder appear in the mass media and in colloquial speech, the concept of mental disorder serves as a fundamental contrast conception in our society, functioning to preserve the current mores. The causal hypothesis suggests studies of the conditions under which normalization and labeling of residual rule-breaking occur.

Insanity · Institution · Political science · Psychiatry · Sociology · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Law · Psychology · Psychology of Social Influence · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

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