Faculty Introduction for “Drawing the Boundary between Psychosocial and Biomedical Disorders: The Credibility Contest between Freudianism and Neo-Kraepelinianism in the DSM”
Ellen Ying wrote the essay “Drawing the Boundary” for my Fall 2018 Perspectives on the Humanities course. Our class examined how the humanities can shape our understanding of science and the role of science in society. In her final research paper, Ellen applied a critical, historical approach to one of her main academic interests, the theory and practice of psychology. Ellen’s essay chronicles and analyzes several important episodes from the recent history of the discipline. Eschewing a simplistic dichotomy between science and non-science, the paper uncovers a story of contentious politics and complex social dynamics. The essay reflects the impressive breadth of Ellen’s research. At the same time, the paper also showcases Ellen’s ability to carry out incisive “close readings” of primary sources – in this case, several editions of the DSM. Lastly, I am impressed by Ellen’s skill and creativity in applying theories such as the notion of “boundary work” to her topic.
Joseph Giacomelli, Lecturer in the Writing Program
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