Historical Perspectives of Abnormal
Psychology
Abnormal psychology is a controversial and fascinating area of
study. There is no universally agreed upon definition of abnormal psychology;
only approximate definitions. Abnormal psychology, also called psychopathology,
is the scientific study with the objectives of describing, explaining,
predicting, and controlling those behaviors considered to be strange or
unusual. Abnormal psychology has evolved over time including the development of
criteria to define abnormality.
Origins and Evolution of Abnormal
Psychology
Abnormal psychology has changed throughout its history. Many of
the current attitudes and ideas of abnormal psychology have been influenced by
earlier beliefs. Beliefs associated with abnormal psychology date back to the
prehistoric and ancient eras. During this period, abnormal behaviors were
believed to be evil spirits. These evil spirits were believed to be inhibiting
and controlling an individual’s body. Behaviors were treated with methods such
as trephining and exorcism. Trephining is a surgical method in which a part of
the skull was chipped away. This allowed the evil spirits to leave the body
(Sue, Sue, & Sue, 2010). Much of
this period involved the belief that illness was caused by demonic possession
or sorcery. During the next period, the Greco – Roman period, naturalistic
explanations were developed. These explanations differed from the supernatural
ones from before. Hippocrates was one of the earliest thinkers who developed a
more rational and scientific explanation for mental disorders (Sue, Sue, & Sue, 2010). Researchers of this period
believed that organic causes explained mental illness rather than demons.
Hippocrates believed that the brain was the center of intellectual activity.
Therefore, deviant behavior was caused by a dysfunction of the brain. In the
Middle Ages, supernatural explanations were once again prevalent. During the Dark
Ages period of the Middle Ages, supernatural and naturalistic explanations were
fused together. During this period, illnesses were believed to be the result of
supernatural forces but also from natural causes. Many people believed
illnesses to be a punishment from sin. During the Witchcraft period, people
believed that mentally ill individuals were witches although there was little
evidence to prove it. During the Renaissance, there were advances in science
and humanism. From this period to modern times, reforms were made to the causes
and treatments of abnormal psychology. Treatments were more humane than in
previous eras. More organized and scientific research was developed in the
study of abnormality.
Challenges to Defining and Classifying
Normal and Abnormal Behavior
Five criteria for defining abnormality were developed. These
criteria were help, seeking, irrationality and dangerousness, deviance,
emotional distress, and significant impairment (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Criteria used in defining abnormality use a statistical deviation of a
normative standard. This creates some challenges. First, the criteria fail to
take differences in place, time, and community standards in account. Second,
the criteria does not provide any basis for distinguishing between desirable
and undesirable deviations from the norm (Sue, Sue, & Sue, 2010). Another challenge is that
people who go in different directions, such as artistically, politically, or
intellectually may be seen as abnormal simply because they do not conform to
what is considered the norm. Another challenge statistical criteria may present
is that widely distributed yet undesirable characteristics may be defined as
normal. Culture also poses a challenge in defining abnormality. According to
Sue, Sue, & Sue, “If deviations from the majority are considered abnormal,
then many ethnic and racial minorities who show strong subcultural differences
from the majority must be classified as abnormal” (2010, p. 9). According to
the criteria developed, abnormality may be identified by determining those
individuals who seek help. This criterion is not always accurate. Most people
with significant problems do not seek help. On the other hand, many people seek
help for normal life stress. Under the criterion of irrationality and
dangerousness, mental illness involves irrational, dangerous, and out – of –
control behaviors. In actuality, self destructive behaviors are only associated
with a few disorders. Predicting dangerousness is not always easy. No criterion
is directly correlated with it (Sue, Sue,
& Sue, 2010). Not all mental disorders involve extreme behaviors as
deviance suggests. Emotional distress is one of the best criteria for defining
abnormality. Emotional distress is a central feature in most illnesses and a minor
feature in others (Hansell & Damour, 2008). However, many forms of
emotional distress, such as grieving, are normal. Significant impairment is the
best defining criteria of abnormality. However, some psychological impairments
can be caused by physical injuries or diseases.
Theoretical Models Related to the
Development of Abnormal Psychology
Theoretical models were established to explain the etiology, or
causes, of abnormal behaviors. The common models consist of biological,
psychological, social, and sociocultural. Biological etiology involves
genetics, brain anatomy, biochemical imbalances, the central nervous system
functioning, and autonomic nervous system reactivity. Psychological etiology
involves personality, emotions, stress coping, learning, self – esteem, cognition,
developmental history, self – efficacy, and values. Social etiology involves
family, relationships, social support, belonging, love, marital status, and
community. Sociocultural etiology includes religion, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic
status, gender, culture, and ethnicity. While one – dimensional models are
important, multi – path models provide a better and more organized framework
for understanding the etiology of abnormality (Sue, Sue, & Sue, 2010). Multi – path models combine
the individual models to determine the numerous causes of an illness.
Conclusion
Abnormal psychology is a complex field of
study. Abnormal psychology has roots from prehistoric and ancient eras. From
those early roots, abnormal psychology has developed more advanced and
scientific methods of research. These methods have helped form a better
definition of abnormal psychology. The etiology of illnesses is vital in
classifying and treating the illnesses.
References
Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal Psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken,
NJ: Wiley.
Sue, D., Sue, D. W., & Sue, S.
(2010). Understanding Abnormal Behavior
(9th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.
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