Importance Of Diagnostic Labeling

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While the opposition to utilizing diagnostic labels is interesting, it is important to acknowledge that the field of psychology has no interest in manipulating the social paradigm. Rather, psychologists and psychiatrists are solely concerned with helping mentally ill individuals as best as possible. In order to do so, diagnostic labeling is a quintessential method of maximizing current knowledge on disorders in order to increase the effectiveness of treatments while simultaneously enabling accurate communication among professionals. To do this, the APA uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). This manual sets out rules that are to be followed and criteria that needs to be appropriately met prior to diagnosing any psychological disorders. Moreover, the DSM-IV also forces doctors to consider the origin of any mental disturbances because other illnesses often affect mental soundness. Take for example, patients who are being evaluated for depression are often assessed for hypothyroidism as the condition often creates symptoms that are synonymous with depression (pg. 592). By using the DSM-IV to accurately label patients, physicians can minimize incorrect diagnoses and avoid potentially harmful treatments. Moreover, identifying patients who have mental illnesses allows for the statistical measurement of prevalence and assists with addressing sufferers on a large scale. While there have been existence proofs that labels can be misused, such as in the case of homosexuality, it is incorrect to say that every diagnosis in questionable. The APA revises the DSM regularly in hopes to avoid past mistakes and they impose a requirement of strong scientific bases for all disorders before any official classification... ... middle of paper ... ...vist can utilize the loophole that the grammar aspect of the language acquisition device may take a certain amount of time before becoming active (pg. 296). Lack of self-correction is evident when nativists are confronted with situations of adults who misuse grammar. Again, rather than consider the fault in the theory a nativist can easily site that just because someone has misused grammar does not mean that they are lacking in knowledge pertaining to it (pg. 296). Lastly, the exaggerated claims are clear as the nativist’s theory states that the language acquisition device innately has all relevant knowledge pertaining to language. While the Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area are scientifically linked to production and comprehension of language, there is no evidence to say that these areas are nothing more than tools that are utilized after knowledge has been gained.

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