ABSTRACT
However, there is not a single authoritative model for understanding the etiology and pathology of these mental disorders. Nevertheless, there are models of psychopathology that have substantial theoretical and empirical support. Presented in this chapter are eight alternative perspectives for understanding the etiology and pathology of mental disorders: (1) neurobiological, (2) sociobiological, (3) psychodynamic, (4) behavioristic, (5) cognitive, (6) interpersonal and systems, (7) humanistic, and (8) anthropological. Next, I describe each perspective and provide historical and current illustrations.
