The Sociology of Mental Disorders / Edition 3

by William W. Eaton

Overview

This thoroughly revised edition of The Sociology of Mental Disorders presents a biosocial model for understanding mental disorders, which integrates the sociological paradigm with current research in the epidemiology of mental disorders and on biological features of mental disorders. It shows the many ways in which macrosocial factors—such as stratification, integration, and culture—and microsocial factors—such as self-concept formation, socialization, and imitation—influence the distribution of mental disorders throughout the population, in combination with psychological and biological factors. The author adopts an epistemological point of view, comparing and contrasting various frameworks for comprehending bizarre forms of deviance that are labeled as mental disorders, including a definition of mental disorder that is purely sociological. He introduces new data and frameworks concerning the process of social stratification and mental disorders, the diffusion of somatoform disorders, mental disorders in the modern world, and the insane society.

Original data from classic research studies in the field are introduced and discussed to illustrate the application of sociological frameworks to the problem of bizarre deviance. Carefully selected first-person accounts of the experience of bizarre deviance add poignancy to the presentation, along with examples of official diagnostic criteria.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275963231
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/30/2000
Edition description:	3RD
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

WILLIAM W. EATON is Professor of Mental Hygiene in the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. He is also Director of the NIMH Training Program in Psychiatric Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to the first and second edition of The Sociology of Mental Disorders (1980 and 1985), he has authored numerous scientific articles and coedited three books.

Table of Contents

Preface
The Social Construction of Bizarre Behaviors
Introduction
The Social Construction of Reality
Bizarre Behaviors as Disease
Bizarre Behaviors as Deviance
Biosocial Framework For the Etiology of Mental Disorders
A Definition of Mental Disorder
The Social Epidemiology of Mental Disorders
The Methods of Epidemiology
Basic Data in Psychiatric Epidemiology
Role, Identity, Suggestibility, and Stress
Role and Identity
Suggestibility and Mental Disorders
Stress and Mental Disorders
Integration: Community and Family
Community
Family
Socioeconomic Stratification
Causation: Environmental and Individual Factors
Selection and Drift: Individual and Environmental Factors
Other Concepts of Socioeconomic Disadvantage
The Social Transmission of Psychopathology
Acute Epidemics
Chronic Epidemics
Theories of Collective Behavior
Relevant Social Psychological Processes
Sociologic Framework for Somatoform Epidemics (Rescite)
Social Aspects of Treatment
Bizarre Behaviors and Use of Services
The Organization of Treatment
Diffusion of Therapeutic Innovations in Psychiatry
Ideology, Technology, and Structure in Psychiatry
Mental Disorder in the Modern World
The Individual in Modern Society
Epidemiologic Evidence
Modern Society as Insane
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Eaton (mental hygiene, Johns Hopkins U.) begins by using the phrase bizarre behavior, because the problematic nature of defining mental disorder<-->especially in light of the interest in groups<-->is a central theme of his account. His intention is to describe how sociologists approach the topic, probably<-- >though he does not specify<-->in the context of a college course. The first edition appeared in 1980, and he has substantially revised and enlarged the 1985 second edition to incorporate what he has learned in the intervening 15 years. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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