Delusionology

The study of delusions as a socially constructed category—how and what gets labeled “delusion,” by whom, and for what purposes. Delusionology examines the power dynamics behind psychiatric diagnosis, the cultural specificity of “reality testing,” and the use of “delusion” to dismiss spiritual, political, or unconventional beliefs. It analyzes how the label functions as a tool of social control, pathologizing dissent or difference. It also asks: who defines what counts as “delusion,” and who benefits from that definition? Delusionology is a critical meta‑psychiatry that treats the concept of delusion as itself an object of study.

Example: “Her delusionology research showed that in the 19th century, women’s political activism was routinely diagnosed as delusion—the label changed, the function of silencing dissent remained.”

by Abzugal April 2, 2026