Abnormal Psychology Is the Study of Abnormal Behavior in Individuals.
Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology
For many of years people have been trying to understand and change what is perceived as abnormal behavior. People thought that abnormal behavior was due to three main reasons sociocultural, biological and psychosocial. The purpose of this paper is to describe the origins of abnormal psychology, explain how abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline, and asses the theoretical view points and interpretations.
Origins of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal Psychology is the study of abnormal behavior in individuals. Abnormal psychology focuses on psychopathology, its causes and treatments. The study of abnormal psychology focal point is to study individuals who are unable to adapt and function effectively in certain situations (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
Abnormal psychology dates back to the ancient times to the twenty-first century. Over half a million years ago was when the first attempt to treat mental disorders was established. This was during the Stone Age. When an individual showed signs of abnormal behavior a hole was drilled their head so the evil spirits are able to escape. People believed the individuals were possessed by demons and evil spirits (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
The ancient Chinese, Hebrew, and Egyptian cultures also believed that individuals who showed signs of abnormal behavior were possessed by demons. They felt that these individuals were being punished by god. Their way of ridding these demons was through exorcisms (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
Romans, Grecian empire, and the Dark Ages all also believed this behavior was caused by demons and bad spirits as well. They followed the same suit as the others. If the exorcism or drilling the hole in the skull failed they then turned to torture and beaten the person until the demon left their body. These beliefs and attempts to treat abnormal behavior continued until the 15th century (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
For many of years people have been trying to understand and change what is perceived as abnormal behavior. People thought that abnormal behavior was due to three main reasons sociocultural, biological and psychosocial. The purpose of this paper is to describe the origins of abnormal psychology, explain how abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline, and asses the theoretical view points and interpretations.
Origins of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal Psychology is the study of abnormal behavior in individuals. Abnormal psychology focuses on psychopathology, its causes and treatments. The study of abnormal psychology focal point is to study individuals who are unable to adapt and function effectively in certain situations (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
Abnormal psychology dates back to the ancient times to the twenty-first century. Over half a million years ago was when the first attempt to treat mental disorders was established. This was during the Stone Age. When an individual showed signs of abnormal behavior a hole was drilled their head so the evil spirits are able to escape. People believed the individuals were possessed by demons and evil spirits (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
The ancient Chinese, Hebrew, and Egyptian cultures also believed that individuals who showed signs of abnormal behavior were possessed by demons. They felt that these individuals were being punished by god. Their way of ridding these demons was through exorcisms (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
Romans, Grecian empire, and the Dark Ages all also believed this behavior was caused by demons and bad spirits as well. They followed the same suit as the others. If the exorcism or drilling the hole in the skull failed they then turned to torture and beaten the person until the demon left their body. These beliefs and attempts to treat abnormal behavior continued until the 15th century (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
References: American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV, 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Bohning, D., (Unknown). Structural brain imaging (CT and MRI) in primary psychiatry. Retrieved from http://www.musc.edu/fnrd/primer_struct.htm Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2010). Abnormal psychology (14th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. CliffsNotes.com. Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior. 18 Apr 2011. Retrieved from http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-25438,articleId-25394.html Comer, R. (2010). Abnormal Psychology. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/ Studer, J. R. (2006). Erik Erikson 's psychosocial stages applied to supervision. Guidance & Counseling, 21(3), 168-173. Retrieved April 18, 2011. Unknown. (2010). Sociocultural Models of Abnormality. Retrieved from http://www.learnmax.in/Psychology-Basics/Sociocultural-Models-of-Abnormality.html