Necessary vs. Sufficient Causes and Diagnostics

In this quick lesson, I share definitions of the terms "necessary," "sufficient," and "contributory," explaining how they describe factors relevant for the etiology and diagnosis of mental disorders.

*Contributory Etiological Factor: a factor which generally increases the likelihood of a particular problem
*Contributory Diagnostic Criteria: a symptom which can aid in deciding a diagnosis is warranted, but is not required or uniquely special to that diagnosis

*Necessary Etiological Factor: a causal phenomenon which must be present prior to the onset of the problem of interest (i.e., if the disorder is present, this factor must have preceded it)
*Necessary Diagnostic Factor: a symptom which must be present in order to diagnose a certain problem (i.e., without that symptom, it's not that disorder)

*Sufficient Etiological Factor: a causal phenomenon which is impactful enough on its own to lead to the problem of interest (i.e., if this factor occurs, the disorder will certainly follow)
*Sufficient Diagnostic Factor: a symptom which is satisfactory by itself in determining the presence of a particular disorder (i.e., that symptom alone determines that it's that disorder)

Видео Necessary vs. Sufficient Causes and Diagnostics канала ProfPash