On definition and description in psychopathology: Reply to Widiger et al. (2023)

We reply to Wright et al.'s (2023) commentary and suggestion that personality trait models would be the preferred way to reconfigure the personality disorders (PDs). Though we agree that personality trait models are powerful descriptive tools, we highlight that they lack definitional or explanatory power, and that is why they have not been able to define or distinguish what PDs are (Hopwood, 2018; Mõttus et al., 2020; Pincus, 2011). Scientific models must do more than describe; they must define. This is why we propose a specific interpersonal model, contemporary integrative interpersonal theory, and why a generic interpersonal model has been formally adopted in psychiatric classification (e.g., International Classification of Diseases; 11th ed.; World Health Organization, 2019) but traits remain optional adjunct descriptors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

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Work Title On definition and description in psychopathology: Reply to Widiger et al. (2023)
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Open Access
Creators
  1. Aidan G.C. Wright
  2. Whitney R. Ringwald
  3. Christopher J. Hopwood
  4. Aaron L. Pincus
Keyword
  1. Personality disorders
  2. Interpersonal dysfunction
  3. Psychopathology
  4. Classification
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. American Psychologist
Publication Date July 1, 2023
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001172
Deposited January 29, 2024

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added Wright_et_al__2023_.pdf
  • Added Creator Aidan G.C. Wright
  • Added Creator Whitney R. Ringwald
  • Added Creator Christopher J. Hopwood
  • Added Creator Aaron L. Pincus
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  • Updated Keyword Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Personality disorders, Interpersonal dysfunction, Psychopathology, Classification
  • Updated