Outlines of General Psychopathology
- Type:
Book Reviews
- Author:
William Malamud, M.D. Chapman and Hall,
Ltd., 11, Henrietta Street, W.C.2. 21/-.
This is a lucid and systematic exposition of the subject matter, relationships and aims of psychopathology. Dr Malamud points out that though this science has a definite and special value in its own field, yet, as its close approximation to other branches of science, such as medicine, psychopathology and education, alone indicates, its ramifications are both complex and diverse. None the less, since the personality of the abnormal individual remains throughout its most valuable source of information, the investigation of the patient always deserves careful consideration. In this connection the study of behaviour stands first in importance from the objectively scientific point of view. At the same time a knowledge of the patient’s inner processes is of vital significance, not only with regard to the individual himself, but also in connection with the development of the science itself. For psychopathology not only observes and describes morbid mental phenomena?these data form indeed its groundwork?it also attempts to understand their nature, causation and development. In this way the ontogenetic, phylogenetic and organic determinants of morbid mental phenomena have a definite bearing upon the subject.
The related theories and schools of thought have also a real value in the development of the science. Malamud instances the psycho-analytic concept of dynamic relationships. He also points out that its reference to evolutionary principles both provides a logical basis for its theory of ” levels,” and illustrates the way that the development of personality, with its arousal of new needs, calls into being novel methods of adjustment, superimposed upon old ones. In other respects, however, he finds that the conclusions of psycho-analysis are too strongly biassed by experience derived from abnormal mentality. He, therefore, prefers Kahn’s method of approach to the structure of personality, based as it is upon mental activity in general. But Kahn’s categories of impulses, temperament and character, being essentially dissimilar, lack that unity of concept which forms such an asset in, for example, the psycho-analytic school of thought. And so with various theories and hypotheses in turn; in each Malamud finds some grounds for dissatisfaction.
In this dilemma, and with a view to adding his quota to the solution of the problems abnormal psychology, he develops the following concept. He takes adjustment as his basic principle in that structuralisation of the pef’ sonality and classification of mental action? which have for him both a theoretical and practical importance; for in his opinion it lS the necessity for adjustment which ultimately determines those fundamental changes in the organism which the process of evolution in’ volves. For this reason in the passage froflj inorganic matter to organic structure, and again from organic structure to motilc organisms, three different levels with distinct methods of expression appear. Self-assertion’ the central feature at the level of inorganic matter, manifests itself in solids as sen’ preservation, a passive resistance to change,’ 111 gases, where self-preservation is at a minimum’ aggression or self-extension in space becomes thf dominant note. At the level of organic structure, growth or accretion is the new featnff involved; the organism not only maintains individuality, it also grows, it occupies mo1”1 space. Selection is here the new factor in ad’ justment. At the stage when independeH movement occurs, another need, that of rat10’ cination or the appreciation of relationship5 comes to the fore.
Malamud finds that each of these three lev^5 has a corresponding mental equivalent. F?f instance, he equates the stage of movement which involves the need for ratiocination, ^ the mental activities discussed under the headi1^ of intelligence, while the phase of growth, wn its need for selection, he allies with the feeling5 and emotions. He then proceeds to show way in which normality results from a balance relationship between these three functions, win} psychopathological happenings arise from *.j disturbance. Finally, he deals in more deta^ with the origin, causation and development psychopathological phenomena when looked ^ from this standpoint. Altogether this book of interest to student and research worker alike’ and well repays careful study. Hilda Weber, M.P
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