In order to examine how research about the relationship between epilepsy and psychopathology has proceeded, the literature that has appeared since 1966 was reviewed and 78 relevant studies were located. The variables employed in these studies (510 in all) were tabulated to determine if they examined biological variables, social variables or medication variables as etiology of psychopathology in people with epilepsy. The results indicate an overwhelming tendency to omit social variables when searching for etiological factors. It is concluded that such an omission is of theoretical and practical significance and 3 hypotheses are put forward to account for the current distribution of research efforts. Finally, the implications of such a structure of investigation are considered.