[Life change event--life history--life plant: psychopathologic and forensic aspects].

The life history approach-obsolete in biological psychiatry but given a new lease of life in psychology-embraces perspectives for the future. In clinical psychopathology it is advisable to limit consideration of the life history to past events and processes. Readiness for the future and development are more appropriately dealt with in the framework of the life plan, where life movement are concentrated and where most disturbances occur. The criminal life plan and the effect of life events are used to illustrate this point.