CLASSIFYING PERSONALITY-DISORDERS - IDEAL TYPES, PROTOTYPES, OR DIMENSIONS

This paper discusses the implications of Jasper's ideas, namely that different forms of psychopathology require different approaches to classification and that an adequate classification of personality disorder should yield a detailed description of the individual, for future classifications of personality disorder. It is argued that future classifications should incorporate a dimensional model of personality. The role of prototypes and ideal types in the classification of personality disorder is discussed. These ideas are illustrated by reference to the development of a dimensional representation of personality disorder derived from clinical concepts.