Historical Epistemology

A Research Approach in Psychiatry

Bibliographic Data

ID6070816
AuthorsIvana S Marková (0000-0002-2095-7323, University of Hull, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume55
Issue2
Pages288-296
Publication date2021-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueIntegrative Psychological and Behavioral Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1932-4502 • E-ISSN: 1936-3567
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12124-020-09589-2
PMID33277673
OpenAlexW3108183760
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited19

Drawing on a key issue raised in the paper by Scardigno and Mininni (2021), this commentary explores the question of historical research in psychiatry. Firstly, the importance of historical research is highlighted for both psychiatry as a medical discipline, and for descriptive psychopathology, the language of psychiatry. Of significance has been the construction of psychiatry as a hybrid discipline formed through the deep participation of both the natural and the social sciences. This in turn brings to light the fundamental difference in epistemological basis to psychiatry and medicine, with ensuing consequences for our understanding of mental disorders and for the development of further research methodology. Likewise conceptually hybrid, the special role carried by mental symptoms in psychiatry places them, as concepts, in the position of crucial research tools. Secondly, given some of the complexities raised in carrying out historical research in this area, the issue of how this should be approached is examined. The method proposed here is that of historical epistemology. This is an approach that focuses on concepts, on mapping their biographies in order to clarify their structures, their roles, their discontinuities, their relationships and interactions with other concepts and so on. Given the central role of concepts in psychiatry and descriptive psychopathology, this approach to their study is most likely to provide valid and meaningful results

Descriptive research · Epistemology · History of psychiatry · Psychiatry · Psychopathology · Social science · Sociology · Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Neurology and Historical Studies · Philosophy · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access