Origins and Evolution of Psychopathology and Abnormal Behavior
Origins and Evolution of Psychopathology and Abnormal Behavior
Psychopathology has a long and troublesome history during which little was known about how disordered minds function and how to help individuals suffering from mental disorders. According to Alloy, Riskind, and Manos (2005), the little knowledge that does exist about how ancient people treated abnormal behavior points to the belief that external, spiritual forces caused people to behave erratically. Possession by demons or evil spirits was considered the most likely explanation and exorcism was the most common treatment.
The revolutionary work of Hippocrates (c. 460-360 B.C.E.) dramatically affected the way we view abnormal behavior. His writings represent some of the earliest known disciplined thinking about abnormal behavior as a product of biological disease, rather than supernatural force. One of his most well known theories involved balancing the four elemental fluids of the human body: phlegm, blood, black bile, and yellow bile. This theory, according to Alloy et al. (2004), was an early forerunner of contemporary biochemistry research in psychopathology. Hippocrates practiced observing his patients and recording their behavior and his treatments. He is credited with substantially advancing the field of psychopathology in its formative years. In summary, “Hippocrates’ emphasis on the natural causes of diseases, on clinical observation, and on brain pathology as the root of mental disorders was truly revolutionary” (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
Early writings from China suggest that ancient Chinese believed the root of abnormal behavior resided in natural causes, as opposed to supernatural causes. Chung Ching, a 2nd century doctor and writer believed that mental illness stemmed from disease in the organs of the body. These diseases could arise from psychological distress, but the core of the problem rested in the organ. Similarly, in the early Greek and Roman civilizations, the
Psychopathology has a long and troublesome history during which little was known about how disordered minds function and how to help individuals suffering from mental disorders. According to Alloy, Riskind, and Manos (2005), the little knowledge that does exist about how ancient people treated abnormal behavior points to the belief that external, spiritual forces caused people to behave erratically. Possession by demons or evil spirits was considered the most likely explanation and exorcism was the most common treatment.
The revolutionary work of Hippocrates (c. 460-360 B.C.E.) dramatically affected the way we view abnormal behavior. His writings represent some of the earliest known disciplined thinking about abnormal behavior as a product of biological disease, rather than supernatural force. One of his most well known theories involved balancing the four elemental fluids of the human body: phlegm, blood, black bile, and yellow bile. This theory, according to Alloy et al. (2004), was an early forerunner of contemporary biochemistry research in psychopathology. Hippocrates practiced observing his patients and recording their behavior and his treatments. He is credited with substantially advancing the field of psychopathology in its formative years. In summary, “Hippocrates’ emphasis on the natural causes of diseases, on clinical observation, and on brain pathology as the root of mental disorders was truly revolutionary” (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010).
Early writings from China suggest that ancient Chinese believed the root of abnormal behavior resided in natural causes, as opposed to supernatural causes. Chung Ching, a 2nd century doctor and writer believed that mental illness stemmed from disease in the organs of the body. These diseases could arise from psychological distress, but the core of the problem rested in the organ. Similarly, in the early Greek and Roman civilizations, the
Bibliography: Alloy, L. B., Riskind, J. H., & Manos, M. J. (2005). Abnormal psychology: Current perspectives. (9th ed.) Boston: McGraw-Hill. Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J.M. (2010). Abnormal psychology (14th ed.) Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.