Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology

Historical Perspectives of abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology is a model of psychological study of the abnormal human behavior. Clinical applications focus on defining, classifying, explaining, and providing clinically sound treatments for the many illnesses that fall under the abnormal behavior classification (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Considered a young science, abnormal psychology has evolved over the past 100 years to outline six basic concepts that provide researchers with a relatively more accurate definition of study. Understanding modern-day theories of abnormal psychology requires consideration of the origins, theoretical models, and evolution related directly to abnormal behavior.

The Origins of Abnormal Psychology

One major difficulty in studying the origins and continuation of abnormal psychology is the definition of what is and is not abnormal behavior (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Because behavior is a product of various influences like cultural differences, and societal views, researchers must  account for these differences, and look at past behavior of an individual (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Abnormal behavior in humans has been recorded as far back as biblical times. These early behavioral abnormalities included descriptions of behavior similar to modern day cases of schizophrenia and depression (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). One of the earliest recorded explanations for abnormal behavior in early cultures was a condition known as animism (Esper, 1964 as cited by Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Because early humans regarded many issues as acts of the spirit world, a person suffering from mental illness would be considered to be possessed by the devil or malevolent spirits (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Treatments for individuals deemed possessed could include a procedure where holes were drilled into the patient’s skull to release the possessing spirit; a process known as trephination. Another recorded method of treatment associated with animism is exorcism, or the ritualistic practice of religious authorities used to cast out the evil sprits responsible for the individual’s abnormal behavior (Selling, 1940; Taylor, 1958 as cited in Hansell, & Damour, 2008).

Another major influence on the origins of abnormal psychology is connected to early Greek biological theories. Hippocrates theorized that diseases, including mental abnormalities were the result of an imbalance of four fluids believed to circulate through the human body (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Treatments were designed to return the proper balance of these fluids, and included dietary and behavioral modifications. Hysteria was another biological theory associated with abnormal psychology developed by Greek physicians based on their own medical observations (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). The theory of hysteria involves the development of symptoms related to neurological damage form injury or disease (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Common symptoms associated with hysteria included confusion, loss of sensation, paralysis, and physical pain or ailments (Hansell, & Damour, 2008).

Defining Normal and Abnormal Behavior

One major problem that faces researchers is the definition and classification of abnormal behavior. According to Hansell, & Damour (2008) “Explanatory paradigms for mental illness have shifted back and forth over many centuries among the spiritual, biological, and the psychological realms” (p. 31). The different theoretical approaches to abnormal psychology advance and change over time based on cultural and societal changes, and explanations of abnormal psychology depend on relation to cultural and historical context, and scientific progress (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996) surmised that some philosophical views of scientific progress resulted from a series of radical paradigm shifts, and nota gradual accumulation of scientific knowledge associated to scientific advances (Hansell, & Damour, 2008).

Defining and classifying abnormal behavior requires an understanding of what is expected and acceptable behavior based on cultural, societal, and individual norms (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Determining the point where an individual’s behavior deviates from these norms and becomes abnormal is challenging at best. Using the theory of relativism one could conclude that normalcy and abnormality is defined as the relative parameter of cultural and societal behavior during a specific period of human evolution (hansell, & Damour, 2008). To aid researchers in the development of these definitions, six core concepts were developed. These core concepts include contextual importance, continuum between abnormal and normal behavior,   consideration of cultural and historical relativism, understanding benefits and drawbacks of diagnosis, the understanding of causality, and the importance of mind/body connections (Hansell, & Damour, 2008).

The Evolution of Abnormal Behavior

Referenced earlier were the theoretical models of spirituality and early biology. Hippocrates theory that mental illness was a result of a fluid imbalance in the body, although flawed, were a significant contribution to modern-day medical thinking (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). His theories influences other physicians of his time to move away from spiritual beliefs, and rely on medical observations to diagnose mental illness. As science progressed, these early biological theories inspired new thinking in the field psychology (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries abnormal behavior was still considered by many to be related to demonic possession (AllPsych Online, 2003). Treatments of mentally ill people during this time included various forms of torture designed to drive out the demons possessing the individual (AllPsych Online, 2003). Unfortunately, most of these methods of torture failed in curing the individual, and in many cases the individual would be exiled or executed (AllPsych Online, 2003).

Views of mental illness started to shift by the eighteenth century, and abnormal behavior started to be viewed as an illness rather than demonic influence (AllPsych Online, 2003). During this period patients suffering from mental illness were moved from the torturous environment of dungeons and placed in asylums that focused on medical forms of treatment (AllPsych Online, 2003). In the early twentieth century somatogenic and psychogenic theories emerged. Somatogenic theory suggested that abnormal behavior was directly related to physiological factors, whereas psychogenic theory suggests that the root causes of abnormal behavior were psychological in nature. Modern-day models of abnormal psychology are influenced primarily by evolved versions of these early medical models (AllPsych Online, 2003).

Model Comparison

Theoretical models associated with abnormal behavior point to the importance of therapeutic relationships involved in the treatment process. While all these models converge and intersect at points, each explains causality from different perspectives (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Psychosocial models explain how individuals process internal conflicting processes between the conscious and unconscious combined with environmental interactions. It emphasizes the importance of social relationships, immediate environments, internal conflicts, concerns, and memories in relation to individual behavior (Hansell, & damour, 2008). Biological and medical theories identify biological and physical associations to mental diseases and dysfunctions. It factors the contributions of biochemical and physical body functions, especially within the brain, as important factors related to understanding abnormal overt behavior and unobservable deviant behavior (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Sociocultural theory suggests that social, cultural, and familial environments influence individual mental dysfunction and illness, and that environmental stressors influence and enhance abnormal behavior.

In modern-day research clinicians use the DSM-IV as the primary tool to diagnose various mental disorders by using a multidimensional approach to diagnosing mental dysfunction (AllPsych Online, 2003). The five primary dimensions of the DSM-IVIV are divided up into clinical syndromes, or axis I, developmental and personality disorders, or axis II, physical conditions, or axis III, severity of psychosocial stressors, or axis IV, and highest level of functioning, or axis V (AllPsych Online, 2003). The DSM-IV also identifies 15 general areas of adult mental illness (AllPsych Online, 2003).

Conclusion

The science of abnormal psychology is young and filled with a rich history of theoretical approaches ranging from early animistic approaches to the modern technology of medical science. Psychology has continued to evolve theoretical approaches based on constantly evolving cultural and societal views, and advancements in technology. Every theoretical approach focused on some measure of reliving individuals of the discomfort and dysfunction associated with abnormal behavior, and with through various advancements like the DSM-IV new progressions in diagnosis and treatments are discovered.

References

 AllPsych Online. (2003). Psychology 101. Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/psychology101/psychopathology.html

Feist, J., & Feist, G. (2009) Theories of Personality (7th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill

Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal Psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.