Oh G-d, A Borderline: Clinical Diagnostics As Fundamental Attribution Error

• Main Author: Schmalz, Jonathan
• Other Authors: Murrell, Amy R.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2011
• Subjects: DSM; stigma; diagnostics; attribution error
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103389/

Researchers raise concerns that the diagnostic approach can create stigma and lead to clinical inferences that focus on dispositional characteristics at the expense of situational variables. From social cognitive theory to strict behavioral approaches there is broad agreement that situation is at least as important as disposition. The present study examined the clinical inferences of graduate student clinicians randomly presented a diagnosis (borderline PD) or no diagnosis and either randomly given context information or no context information before watching a videotaped clinical interaction of a fabricated client. Responses to a questionnaire assessing dispositional or situational attributions about the client’s behavior indicated a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder did not significantly increase dispositional attributions and did not significantly moderate the importance of contextual factors. A notable difference between the attributions made by psychodynamic and third wave behavioral respondents was observed. Conceptual and experimental limitations as well as future directions are discussed.