
Being Mentally Ill
A Sociological Theory
Thomas J. Scheff(Author)
AldineTransaction (Publisher)
3rd Edition
Published on 31. December 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
XIX, 220 pages
978-0-202-30587-5 (ISBN)
Description
In incorporating social process into a model of the dynamics of mental disorders, this text questions the individualistic model favoured in current psychiatric and psychoanalytic theory. While the conventional psychiatric viewpoint seeks the causes of mental illness, Scheff views "the symptoms of mental illness" as the violation of residual rules - social norms so taken for granted that they are not explicitly verbalized. The sociological theory developed by Scheff to account for such behaviour provides a framework for studies reported in subsequent chapters. Two key assumptions emerge: first, that most chronic mental illness is in part a social role; and second, that societal reaction may in part determine entry into that role. Throughout, the sociological model of mental illness is compared and contrasted with more conventional medical and psychological models in an attempt to delineate significant problems for further analysis and research. This third edition has been revised and expanded to encompass the controversy prompted by the first edition, and also to re-evaluate developments in the field. New to this edition are discussions of the use of psychoactive drugs in the treatment of mental illness, changing mental health laws, new social science and psychiatric studies, and the controversy surrounding the labelling theory of mental illness itself.
More details
Edition
3., ed.
Language
English
Place of publication
Somerset
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
349 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-202-30587-5 (9780202305875)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2017
3rd Edition
Routledge
€67.49
Available for download

E-Book
09/2017
3rd Edition
Routledge
€67.49
Available for download

Book
12/1999
3rd Edition
AldineTransaction
€165.80
Shipment within 10-15 days
Person
Thomas J. Scheff
Content
Part 1 Introduction: labelling theory and biopsychiatry -reviewing the record; individual and social systems in deviance. Part 2 Theory: social control as a system; residual deviance; the social institution of insanity. Part 3 Research: decisions in medicine; two studies of the societal reaction; negotiating reality - notes on power in the assessment of responsibility.