NIMH announces Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)

NIMH launches the RDoC framework as a dimensional alternative to the DSM. Classifies psychopathology by dimensions (cognition, motivation, valence) rather than diagnostic categories.

Classifying mental disorders is inherently difficult because psychopathology does not respect neat boundaries. The debate between categorical and dimensional models reflects a fundamental tension in psychiatry: the practical need for clear diagnoses to guide treatment versus the scientific recognition that the psychopathological spectrum is continuous.

The first decade of the 21st century was a period of rapid advances in neuroscience, genetics, and behavioral economics. Functional neuroimaging allowed us to see the brain in action, while complete genomes opened the era of genetic research in psychology.

Significance: This milestone significantly contributed to the development of psychology as a science and profession, influencing research, clinical practice, or public policy.