Laingian

¹Laing·ian

adj \ˈlaŋ-ē-ən\

Definition of LAINGIAN

: of, relating to, or characteristic of R. D. Laing or his psychological doctrines

Biographical Note for LAINGIAN

Laing \ˈlaŋ\ , Ronald David (1927–1989), British psychiatrist. Laing began psychoanalytic research at London's Tavistock Institute of Human Relations in 1960. From his clinical experiences there and previously at other psychiatric clinics he developed radical and controversial theories of psychosis and psychoanalysis. His theories centered on the belief that mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia) are an individual's natural and often therapeutic response to the stress and constraints imposed by family and society.