Future Tasks

Abstract

In earlier sections of this book I have reviewed the history of the experimental psychopathology field and have also tried to provide a philosophical framework for its future development. These sections were followed by discussion of four representative clinical syndromes where attempts have been made to develop experimental animal models. These syndromes certainly do not represent a comprehensive examination of psychiatric syndromes where there is animal modeling research being conducted or where animal models could usefully be developed and potentially contribute to the progress of the field. They were chosen for reasons previously discussed, namely, because they illustrate many of the historical and philosphical points made in the first two sections of the book.