Citation

Tan EK, Carr JE. Cult. Med. Psychiatry 1977; 1(1): 59-67.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

756354

Abstract

The authors present evidence of an indigenous diagnostic system by which Malay culture defines Amok, and of the disparate relations between individual conceptualization, behavior, and tradition which contributes to the labeling process. Amok is viewed as a cultural prescription for violent behavior in response to a given set of conditions. It is not a disease but rather a behavioral sequence, perceived as illness, that may be precipitated by various etiological factors. Finally, evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that traditional forms of Amok are being replaced by new variants in which psychopathology is increasingly evident.

Language: en