The harmful dysfunction model draws a parallel between psychological and physical illnesses. It posits that just as the symptoms of a physical illness are manifestations of dysfunctions in biological processes, the symptoms of psychological disorders are presumed to reflect dysfunctions in underlying mental processes.

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Proposed by Wakefield in 1992, the influential harmful dysfunction model defines a psychological disorder using two criteria. First, there must be a 'dysfunction,' which is a failure of an evolutionarily developed internal mechanism (such as cognition or perception) to perform its natural function. Second, this dysfunction must be 'harmful,' meaning it results in negative consequences for the individual or others, as judged by the standards of their culture. These harms can include significant internal distress or impairment in social or occupational life.

Wakefield's Harmful Dysfunction Model

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Comparison of Psychological and Physical Illness Symptoms in the Harmful Dysfunction Model

A significant appeal of the harmful dysfunction model is its compatibility with modern neurobiological perspectives on mental illness. The model's focus on the breakdown of internal mechanisms suggests that psychological disorders may stem from failures in biological functions that regulate psychological processes, thereby aligning with and supporting contemporary neurobiological research.

Neurobiological Support for the Harmful Dysfunction Model

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) provides a formal definition of a psychological disorder that incorporates many features from Wakefield's harmful dysfunction model. This definition states that a psychological disorder is a condition involving: 1) significant disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; 2) these disturbances reflect an underlying biological, psychological, or developmental dysfunction; 3) they cause significant distress or disability in an individual's life; and 4) they are not expected or culturally approved responses to life events.

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