Abstract: The state-trait distinction has had a useful application in psychiatry but is not without controversy. The field has been particularly beset by various problems in the definition and measurement of each set of phenomena. Traits, enduring characteristics or qualities that describe interindividual differences, lend themselves readily to retesting in the assessment of instrument reliability and construct validity. This single factor has been important in facilitating the development of conceptual formulations upon which hypotheses can be proposed and tested as has been done in the area of personality theory, for example. Since states are, by definition, transitory characteristics or qualities that describe intraindividual differences, they tend to be less reliable1 and do not lend themselves so readily to retesting in this way. The validity of repeated measures in these cases should require some independent measure of whether or not a particular state has recurred. The lack of such independent measures can lead to the circular process of measuring states in terms of one instrument that, in turn, is validated against yet another similar instrument designed to measure the same state. This problem is one that has acted to retard the development of adequate definition and conceptual formulation with regard to the state concept. This paper reviews and critically examines the state concept in relation to clinical psychiatry. No attempt is made to review the use of the state concept in the field of psychology, in particular, the psychometric tradition. This would require a separate paper in order to do justice to the size and complexity of the subject. Instead, the focus has been narrowed to include predominantly the clinical literature, incorporating fields most relevant to psychopathology as it presents to the clinician. The term “state” derives from the Latin status, meaning manner of standing or condition. The Oxford English Dictionary2 gives the following definitions of the noun, state, under the broad heading of “condition, manner of existing.” 1. 1) A combination of circumstances or attributes belonging for the time being to a person or thing; a particular manner or way of existing, as defined by the presence of certain circumstances or attributes; 2. 2) A condition (of mind or feeling); the mental or emotional condition in which a person finds him or herself at a particular time.

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   |wiki=    Wicri/Psychologie
   |area=    BernheimV1
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   |étape=   Exploration
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   |clé=     ISTEX:5A944C4D84F70CFAF8911DF71FC50A23890663AB
   |texte=   The concept of clinical state in psychiatry: A review
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