Which psychological perspective is most likely to argue that mental health disorders are not really diseases, but rather labels used to control and stigmatize individuals?

• A. The sociocultural perspective
• B. The psychodynamic perspective
• C. The biological perspective
• D. The labeling or social constructionist perspective

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key idea in the question: it suggests that mental health disorders are not actual diseases but labels used to control and stigmatize individuals.
2. Recall the main psychological perspectives and their views on mental health: the biological perspective sees disorders as brain-based illnesses; the psychodynamic perspective focuses on unconscious conflicts; the sociocultural perspective emphasizes social and cultural influences.
3. Understand that the perspective emphasizing labels and social control is related to how society constructs and defines mental illness, which is central to the labeling or social constructionist perspective.
4. Recognize that the labeling or social constructionist perspective argues that mental disorders are not objective diseases but socially created categories that can lead to stigma and control.
5. Conclude that among the options given, the labeling or social constructionist perspective best fits the description of mental health disorders as labels rather than diseases.