Dharmaram
Vidya Kshetram
Faculty
of Philosophy
Assignment
History of the Abnormal Psychology
Bro.
Sebin Varghese
(Reg.no.
1414728)
An
Assignment on the history of the Abnormal Psychology.
Bangalore
November, 2015
Preface
Psychology, a
strenuous, diverse and complex discipline, that advocates systematic and scientific study of growth,
development, social issues, thinking and problem solving, abnormal thought and
behavior. Behavior is always enthralling in human being and animals as far as
psychology is concerned. The methodical researches and studies in the field of
Psychology render scientific knowledge of thought and behavior. In history,
perspective and applications Prof. Kenneth Keith[1]
explained how psychological questions arose from the philosophical
considerations and frameworks. The shrewd study of the abnormal psychology the
student comes across the various dimensions of personality, highlighting
process that affects the normal and abnormal facets of personality says Prof.
Janet Carlson[2].
Through this succinct notes, collected and geared up as per the norms for an
assignment in the faculty of Psychology can render concise data’s on the
Historical development of Abnormal Psychology and the amendment of the stereotype
stance of the society towards the victims with the assistance of modern science
and technology.
Abnormal
Behavior
Behavior of some human beings can be
considered as odd and strange, which is subjected to and elucidated through
raising certain valid questions. There are several ways, utilized by
Psychologist to wrap up a behavior, as normal or the opposite. Abnormality will
be sewed to a particular behavior if (a) it deviates from average or socially
accepted, (b) away from the ideal behavior, (c) if it generates sever stress on
the individual, (d) and advertising of inability to function effectively in the
society[3].
In Psychology, the normal distribution of the Qualities of interest follows a Bell
Shaped curve where the normal traits of behavior are not pushed to both
extremes. Another method to check the quality of the normal behavior involves
how well an individual’s actions align with established ideals for that
particular behavior[4].
The Abnormal behavior can be developed in any individual without any
reservation. It must not be taken as a chance to blame the abstract reality of
fate or God as a punishment for the past committed Sins or mistakes. The
severity of the stress also can be resulted in the formation of the abnormal
behavior. The sense of personal distress or Subjective Distress[5] is
also a helpful aid to discriminate the normal and abnormal behavior. This
abnormality can cause inability to function effectively.
Historical
Views of the Abnormal Behavior
Human Behavior is as
old as the History of the existence of Human Being. Since then human behavior
exhibited several abnormal traits. Prior to the 16th century, most of the
mental disorders were believed and understood to be caused by the dread
influence of demonic control, witchcraft, Satan worship, and or divine
involvement or possession. It was considered as aberrant even centuries ago for
it failed to cop up with the standards of the then time. For e.g. Anorexia nervosa[6]
was treated with exorcism, as were many nervous disorders and to the extreme
cases they were burned at the stake. Certain condition of the victims of mental
disorder was pathetic and odd even to think of. The particular behavior that
was strange or unusual to then age was considered as outright bizarre behavior
1.
Ancient Times
As
we revise, the early approaches towards the psychiatric victims from the
discoveries and study of Philosophers, such as
Hippocrates[7]
(460-377 B.C.) who said, the disproportionate level of body fluids[8]
caused temperament[9]
disorders, and early A.D. philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Galen
were more critical and comprehensive in nature than the followed centuries. It
had the touch of modernity with sympathy, compassion, mercy and dealt with them
in a humanitarian temperament. Their views were in relation with the views of
the 21st century.
Today, our 21st century world sees abnormal
psychology in a very different light than centuries past practiced. The
need of kind treatment and tapping to the root cause of each disorders pushing
aside the traditional views such as demoniac possession, curse from God etc.
the expertise of then era even find out the possibility of generating mental
disorders due to physical injuries such as heard injury and the possibility of
inheriting as hereditary.
The 12th through 16th centuries
saw a turn to cruelty in dealing with the mentally ill. Imprisonment,
starvation, severe beating, and restraint with chains quickly became the
preferred method of dealing with the mentally ill.
Trephining[10] burrowing or scraping
holes and the use of bleeding[11] were the major methods
used frequently in the history as treatment because even the ancient Greek
societies explained this strange behavior as the result of evil possession or
supernatural and spiritual phenomena.
Modern Times
18th century marked certain advanced studies and this
age of enlightenment gave importance to the notions such as humanitarianism. As
a result, the chained customs of past era where cruel practices of beating the
ill, chaining, secluding from the society were changed as part of the
experiment and that came out as an accomplishment. Trained medical practitioners
were welcomed to render treatment or medical assistance to the victims and the
name Asylum[12]
started to proliferate in this era.
The 19th century witnessed a drastic change in
the approach towards the ill. Dorothea Dix[13], was one among the
prominent reformers who brought the real dignity of psychic people as
incredible to be respected. By the end of this century a number of new theories
were advanced to offer treatment alternatives. In that Emil Kraepelin deserves
more attention. The Somatogenic[14] belief was taken backward
steps and advocated the psychogenic[15]
theory.
Along with the rapid change, that occurred in the diverse fields
of American terrain the 20th century made prominent, remarkable
progression in the treatment of mentally ill people. The National
Institute of Mental Health was established, the Hill-Burton Act[16], which provided funding
for mental health agencies, was passed, and the age of "deinstitutionalization[17]" began. Along with
this rapport, Sigmund Freud's theory along with his colleague Josef Breuer on
mental and emotional disorders was gaining worldwide interest. For a large part
of the population, Talk-therapy and psychoanalysis became widely used.
Alcoholics Anonymous[18] was founded in 1939. By
the end of the 20th century, A.A had gained a projected around
1 million members in America alone. The fear and discomfort towards the
mentally ill were reduced and people started to report cases for the betterment
of the victim. Research, in turn, led to greater developments in therapies
were made-up to help millions of people anguishing from a variety of mental
disorders, as well as the development of numerous drugs that were prescribed in
great excess during this century, often to the detriment of the
patient.
Early 21st century research mainly focused on
the study of neurotransmitters, hormones, genetics, and brain matter. This
research has, and will continue to, lead to alternative treatments that are
geared to changing, or "fixing," brain chemistry. Hormonal
imbalances, and neurotransmission problems in the brain, were studied deeply
with minimal of seldom prescription of medications. This present era mainly
stressed on a pill-free treatment to the ill that resulted sever problems to
the patient as side effect. Some can be highly addictive, and often very
difficult to withdraw from. The latest investigation brought forward that
the use of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are able to decrease the onset of
psychotic disorders, such as bi-polar[19] and paranoid Schizophrenia[20]. These conclusion are
very exhilarating, for the reason that big amount of Omega 3 have no side
effects, help ease depression, and actually fabricate good benefits to the
heart, skin, and eyes of the consumer. Later periods the more look
was to the Humanistic perspective on the Abnormal Behavior which centers on
rendering human worth and dignity. It incorporates the Human values, interests
and welfare.
The Medical Representation and Psychotic
Elucidations
The
institutionalizations of the mentally disordered men were mushrooming in a
larger scale. Moral therapy[21]that gained a drastic
support and appreciation with a large scale approval fell because of the
development and consideration of the medical Doctors, as mentally disorder is
biological aspect, which demands treatment. In a way the emergence of Medical
Model[22] enhanced with reference
to the explanation and treatment of the Psychological disorders.
Influence of Religion
During the renaissance era, abnormal behavior was considered as
something by the possession of Evil powers especially the witch craft. The
church stood a firm step to punish or hunt the roots of evil practices and
practitioners. Hysteria[23] and Paranoia[24] ran high and as people
regarded the eradication of witches as both civic and religious duty.
Conclusion
Individuals with serious mental discomfort can be seen all
through the eras. They are the victims of severe mental disturbance and people
who are far away from the reality around them. These victims will be facing a
constant failure in t managing their common personal, familial and societal
activities. Yet to the extreme cases the society can seclude them only because
of the bizarre behavior they possess. These abnormalities are tend to be
noticed by the significant people with respect to the individual and put into
the notice of a psychological expertise who can find the root or hidden cause
for this strange behavior in one. Behavior is dynamic and reactive to
environmental as well as internal interests. As events and circumstances unfold
the influence behavior, its location on the continuum can shift in one
direction or the other.
Bibliography
Carlson, Janet
F. “Handbook of Psychology: Personality
and Abnormal Psychology.” Vol. VI. New York: Viva Books, 2014.
Comer, Ronald J. “Fundamentals
of Abnormal Psychology.” New York: Worth Publishers, 1999.
Genova, L. “Still
Alice.” New York: Pocket Books, 2009.
[1] Kenneth Keith is a
Psychology Professor in the University of San Diego, who is recognized as one
of the major figures associated with the development field of Psychology.
[2] Dr. Carlson, Professor
in the Buros Center for Testing at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
[3] Ellis, A. “Addictive
behaviors and personality Disorder.”
Social Policy 29 (1988): 25-30.
[4] Carlson, Janet F. “Handbook of Psychology: Personality and
Abnormal Psychology.” Pg.24.
[5] Subjective distress
is the awareness of an Individual’s experience on his perceived level of
stress, dissatisfaction, despair, tension, confusion, fear and anxiety.
Carlson, Janet F. “Handbook of
Psychology”, Vol. VI. Pg.26.
[6] A disorder marked by
the pursuit of extreme thinness and by an extreme loss of weight.
[7] Hippocrates used an
empirical approach to explain the subnormal behavior by observing and
describing instances of mental illness, including epilepsy and Phobias. He also
developed a biological explanation for the abnormal behavior.
[8] His study propagated
the knowledge that disorders can be caused due to the imbalance of body’s four
vital fluids or humors: blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm.
[9] Four temperaments:
Choleric, Sanguine, melancholic, Phlegmatic.
[10] Trephining was one of
the extreme practices employed by ancient people to free an individual from
evil spirit by drilling a hole in 1-inch diameter in to the skull of a living
person alive. Carlson, Janet F. “Handbook
of Psychology: Personality and Abnormal Psychology.” Pg.30.
[12] A Home first held in
the 16th C for the mentally ill people where their needs are met by
the NGO’s or any Governmental institutions. Later most became virtual prisons.
[13] A nurse (1802- 1887) and social reformer who
began a revolution in the way people viewed the mentally ill. She gained
worldwide recognition for bringing the inhumane treatment of mental patients to
the attention of the public. She established and enlarged 32 mental
hospitals in America, Europe, and Japan, and changed treatment practices to
those of a humanitarian nature.
[14] Originating or
arising from the bodily structures.
[15] Theory that came up
with the teaching that emotional or psychological pressures give rise to mental
disturbances.
[16] The hospital survey
and construction act is U.S federal law passed in 1946.
[17] A movement that began
in the 1960’s and encouraged discharging in to the community
psychiatric patients many of whom had been hospitalized for many years.
[18] A self-help organization
that provides support and guidance for persons with alchahol abuse or
dependence.
[19] Am experience of both
lows of depression and the highs of mania.
[20] Items that show
bizarre or unusual thoughts or behavior, including extreme withdrawal,
delusions or hallucinations.
[21] Humane and supportive approach to treating
individual with mental disorders as normal people who have shouldered unusually
heavy burdens.
[22] View of mental
disorders as illness that result from biological abnormalities and diseases that
should be treated with biologically based practices such as medication.
[23] A disorder in which physical functioning is changed or lost,
without an apparent physical cause.
[24] Items that shoe abnormal suspiciousness and delusions of grandeur
or persecution.
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