Pull C, Pichot P, Overall J E, Pull M C
Ann Med Psychol (Paris). 1976 Oct;2(3):353-70.
The authors present the first results of an investigation concerning the conceptual validity of a phenomenological classification of psychiatric patients. Conceptual stereotypes for 8 syndromes, derived from applications of cluster analysis and related numerical taxonomy methods to BPRS symptom rating profiles, were obtained by 33 experienced French psychiatrists. Analysis of the profile data reveal that the names chosen to describe the empirical prototypes elicit 8 clearly differenciated syndromes and that the experts' understanding of the nomenclature is highly consistent. Problems concerning the relationship between two of the empirical prototypes and the corresponding conceptual stereotypes are discussed.
