After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe the history of the conceptualization and treatment of psychological disorders.
• Describe the major theoretical perspectives for defining and understanding psychological illness.
• Describe the factors that are commonly associated with psychological disorders.
• Identify the symptoms, causes, theoretical explanation for and treatment for the major psychological disorders.
• Explain the development and organization of the classification system used to define various psychological illnesses, the DSM-IV.
• Name the major categories of psychological illness in the DSM-IV.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using labels for people with psychological illness.
• Discuss issues related to the cultural aspects of psychological disorder.
• Describe the court cases that are the legal underpinnings of the insanity plea.
• Explain when the insanity plea may be used and the consequences of a successful plea.