Unpacking the Misuse of Mental Illness Labels in Society

In this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the harmful cultural habit of attributing acts of cruelty, violence, and abuse of power to mental illness. Leslie discusses the psychological reasons behind this impulse, the impact it has on our perceptions of justice and morality, and how it reinforces harmful stereotypes and biases. The episode digs into cognitive dissonance, the just world hypothesis, and the fundamental attribution error, examining how these concepts contribute to mislabeling people and behaviors. The discussion also covers the uneven media portrayal of violence committed by different racial groups and the systemic consequences of conflating mental illness with intent. Leslie emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between illness and responsibility, highlighting how current narratives stigmatize those with mental health struggles and misdirect resources away from addressing the real root causes of violence.

00:00 Introduction: The Dangerous Habit of Labeling
01:31 The Psychological Impulse Behind Labeling
04:32 Media Bias and Racial Disparities
07:33 Systemic Harm and Misdiagnosis
13:14 The Impact on Marginalized Communities
19:16 The Weaponization of Disability Language
21:36 Conclusion: The Need for Truth and Responsibility

Resources:

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