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Objective: This paper aims to analyse in a philosophically informed way the recent National Institute of Mental Health proposal for the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework.Conclusion: Current classification systems have helped unify psychiatry and the conditions that it is most concerned with. However, by relying too much on syndromes and symptoms, they too often do not define stable constructs. As a result, inclusions and removals from the manuals are not always backed by sound reasons. The RDoC framework is an important move towards ameliorating matters. This paper argues that it improves the current situation by re-referencing constructs to physical properties (biomarkers for disorders, for example), by allowing theoretical levels within the framework, and by treating psychiatry as a special case of the cognitive sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental psychopathology is the application of experimental methods to the study of psychopathology and its underlying processes. The study of individual differences in the development, maintenance and/or relapse of psychopathology is currently at the forefront of research. Stressful events are known to exert a substantial impact on our lives. Why however, do some people react in an extremely adaptive way, while others develop pathology in the aftermath of a trauma? One particularly interesting individual differences factor is genetic makeup and the aim of this paper is to review the current state of the art of genetics in experimental psychopathology which is illustrated by using fear conditioning as an exemplary model in the study of mechanisms underlying anxiety. We identify and discuss current challenges of the field and provide recommendations on how these can be met. In addition, criteria for experimental models of psychopathology as well as future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: It has been proposed that legislation for same-sex marriage has a positive mental health benefit. The purpose of this paper is to review and evaluate the empirical and conceptual links between same-sex marriage and mental health.Conclusions: There are substantive methodological issues in the four surveys and comparisons undertaken. Difficulties with the validity of the evidence are discussed. Conceptual difficulties in the arguments relating to victimisation as well as the psychology of marriage are highlighted. It was concluded that it is premature to make claims of causality vis-a-vis same-sex marriage legislation and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]