Psychological Orthodoxy

The established, institutionalized set of beliefs about human nature that dominate psychological discourse and popular understanding—the often-unexamined assumptions about how people work, what drives behavior, what mental health means, and how change happens. Psychological orthodoxy includes commitments: that the individual is the unit of analysis, that early experience determines adult outcomes, that mental disorders are individual pathologies, that therapy should focus on individual change, that psychological categories (personality, intelligence, disorder) name real things, that Western psychological concepts are universal. Like all orthodoxies, it provides frameworks for understanding self and other, but it functions as ideology—making particular conceptions of personhood seem natural and universal, obscuring how psychological categories are culturally and historically specific, and delegitimizing alternative understandings (collectivist, spiritual, structural). Psychological orthodoxy determines what counts as "healthy" vs "pathological," what explanations are "insightful" vs "superficial," and who counts as "psychologically minded" vs "naive."

Example: "He explained social problems in terms of individual psychology—as if inequality were a matter of personal growth. Psychological orthodoxy had made the individual feel like the only level of analysis."

by Dumu The Void March 17, 2026

Psychiatric Orthodoxy

The established, institutionalized set of beliefs and practices that define mainstream psychiatry—the often-unexamined assumptions about mental illness, diagnosis, treatment, and the role of psychiatry in society. Psychiatric orthodoxy includes commitments: that mental disorders are brain disorders, that diagnosis is objective, that DSM categories name real diseases, that medication is often the best treatment, that psychiatric authority is legitimate, that the current psychiatric system is basically sound, that critics are anti-science or anti-treatment. Like all orthodoxies, it provides frameworks for understanding and treating mental distress, but it functions as institutional power—determining who gets diagnosed with what, what treatments are covered, who counts as mentally ill, and what alternatives are marginalized. Psychiatric orthodoxy shapes not just how we treat mental distress but what we think mental distress is, making particular conceptions of illness seem natural and alternatives (social, psychological, spiritual) seem insufficient.

Example: "She suggested that some distress might be social rather than medical—and was accused of denying mental illness. Psychiatric orthodoxy had made its framework feel like the only way to take suffering seriously."

by Dumu The Void March 17, 2026

Hypocrite Oath

A doctor who took the Hippocratic oath but ends up putting more people in danger through medical gaslighting, or spreading disease by not using proper personal protective equipment.

I went to my doctor because I had complications from an active COVID infection and my doctor didn’t even wear a mask, I wonder how many of their patients they’re going to infect with this disease. I guess they took the hypocrite oath.

by CrunchyBrownie5 September 22, 2025

testify under oath

Where you **swear** to tell the truth.

Confused social-studies student: I was always under the impression that you're supposed to be polite and respectful whenever you in a court of law, not lace your language with profanity --- why should anyone be compelled to "swear" to tell the truth when he agrees to "testify under oath"???

by QuacksO August 31, 2018

Tennis Court Oath

The promise among the third estate before the French revolution to continue meeting until a new constitution would be established.

King Louis XVI: Stop meeting up, you're scaring me
Literally dying peasant: We can't, we swore the tennis court oath

by ItsPrix June 1, 2021

KFC Blood Oath

Eating KFC is a delicious extravaganza. A mouth watering joy of essence itself. But the Kernel will take back what it’s due. One may eat of its tastiness now, but the one will suffer from severe fire poops that draw blood shortly after. And this is the KFC Blood Oath.

Hey Josh, you eat that delicious KFC yet?

Sure have man! I enjoyed every moment!

Yeah, I’m sure! You think the KFC Blood Oath will be repaid tonight, or tomorrow morning?

Oh tonight for sure!!

by the teli May 24, 2022

Under the oath girl

A girl who seems fun but untrustworthy. Often met on a dating app and seems like has potential but at least one red flag as well. Solution is to take action and go out with the guy if you like him

That girl Ashley is such an under the oath girl. She keeps texting me but I'm not sure about her.

by ACTUALLYDYLAN September 4, 2022