The Definition of Insanity

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit (edited), fair use

Often, I hear some variation of a quote attributed to the late German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein that proposes, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

Noteworthy, Einstein wasn’t a practitioner of mental, emotional, or behavioral health. He wasn’t a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, social worker, psychotherapist, or psychological therapist of any kind, to include functioning as either a theorist or academic in this field.

Furthermore, one source reports, “There is no substantive evidence that Einstein wrote or spoke the statement above,” as the resource proposes that the quote was actually found in a pamphlet printed by the Narcotics Anonymous organization in November 1981.

Moreover, physicists are practitioners of science. As such, it’s likely the case that Einstein was familiar with the scientific method. Regarding this procedural approach to interpreting truth about reality, one source states:

It involves careful observation, applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation. It involves formulating hypotheses, via induction, based on such observations; the testability of hypotheses, experimental and the measurement-based statistical testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses; and refinement (or elimination) of the hypotheses based on the experimental findings.

Scientific experiments are intended to be reproduced. Otherwise, one may end up with a replication crisis—an ongoing methodological crisis in which the results of many scientific studies are difficult or impossible to reproduce.

As such, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is a component of the scientific process. Therefore, such behavioral and cognitive actions aren’t insane. Alternatively, in a blogpost entitled Insane in the Membrane, I stated:

[T]hat which is colloquially considered to be insane doesn’t indicate insanity which the American Psychological Association (APA) defines as “in law, a condition of the mind that renders a person incapable of being responsible for their criminal acts.”

Also, different regions within the United States (U.S.) maintain contrasting legal definitions and statutes regarding legal insanity. Interestingly, there’s no APA definition for “insane” or “crazy,” though the term “mental disorder” is thusly defined by the Association as:

[A]ny condition characterized by cognitive and emotional disturbances, abnormal behaviors, impaired functioning, or any combination of these. Such disorders cannot be accounted for solely by environmental circumstances and may involve physiological, genetic, chemical, social, and other factors.

The important takeaway point thus far is that “insanity” is a legal term, “mental disorder” is a medical term, and “insane” is merely a term commonly used to indicate irrationality—that which isn’t in accordance with both logic and reason.” This distinction is relevant.

Understanding the framework outlined herein, it’s not an insane act to brush one’s teeth daily while expecting whiter teeth than the previous day. That’s because the definition of insanity isn’t doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Insanity. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/insanity

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Mental disorder. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/mental-disorder

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2024, May 15). Behavioral experiments. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/behavioral-experiments

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, January 12). Insane in the membrane. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/insane-in-the-membrane

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health

Hollings, D. (2024, October 5). Mistaking deductive validity for truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mistaking-deductive-validity-for-truth

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous

Hollings, D. (2023, August 6). The science. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-science

Quote Investigator. (2017, March 23). Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Retrieved from https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/03/23/same/

RandomlyVigorouslyInkling. (2025, January 3). Copperplate engraving, in black and white, of Albert Einstein. Neural.love. Retrieved from https://neural.love/ai-art-generator/1efca65d-fddd-6e92-b1c4-27c0cd21d020/copperplate-engraving-in-black-and-white-of-albert-einstein

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Albert Einstein. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Replication crisis. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replication_crisis

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Scientific method. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method