So, if the field of psychopathology is limited in the ethical research that can be done to have a definitive causal explanation for a mental disorder, why bother? I guess we have to start somewhere, and yes, I know the field of psychopathology is advancing, but are the interpretations of most psychopathology studies really accurate? Could be. Throughout my experience with research on personality and interpersonal relationships, I have primarily conducted correlational work. (However, I am moving towards more experimental research). Correlation research does not infer causation. Therefore, I have not conducted any research with definitive answers about cause and effect. The same appears to be true for psychopathology research. Everything we know definitively about psychopathology is environmentally or physiologically relational, not random. However, correlational examinations of psychopathy appear to help understand, most importantly, the external attributes that contribute to the outcome of most mental illnesses, disorders, and illnesses..