summary
Until the 1970's the universality hypothesis was the leading theory in transcultural psychiatry. Kleinman argued in favour of a more anthropological approach. This was reflected in Appendix i of the dsm iv (Cultural Formulation). More recently the focus of attention has broadened to include interethnic differences and social and community factors that induce and perpetuate mental disorders in various ethnic groups. The individualistic anthropologically orientated approach of the 1970's is moving more and more in the direction of social psychiatry.