ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

SCIENTIFIC AND SYSTEMATIC STUDY THAT ATTEMPTS TO:

* DESCRIBE, UNDERSTAND, PREDICT & CONTROL

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

What are psychological disorders?

Abnormal behavior patterns characterized by: disturbances in psychological functioning eccentricities or unusual actions socially unacceptable or violations of norms faulty perceptions of reality

significant personal distress

maladaptive or self-defeating danger to self or others

Evolution of the concept

Stone Age

Demonological View is born..

Physical Phenomena have supernatural basis! Evidence of Trephining

The Golden Age

Around 400BCE Hippocrates enters scene.

Advocated naturalistic theory of human behavior.

Pioneers the concept of 4 Humors.

Formed basis of MEDICAL MODEL!

PLATO

Medieval Period 500 C.E. 1450 C.E.

Covers 1000 years of European history After Galens death, superstition and the idea of demonic possession dominate the cultural landscape. Catholic church reinforces this myth. Treatment of choice for those afflicted: exorcismincluded prayer, cross waving, starvation, beating and flogging.

Renaissance 1400s Beginning of intellectual revival arts, music, literature.

Ironic, why? Coincides with unprecedented fear of witches! 15th late 17th centuries were especially frenzied

Catholic church commissions Malleus Maleficarum

Weird tests are applied to detect demonic possession or witchcraftthere was allegedly a difference

Modern scholars argue that the mentally ill were misdiagnosed and/or forced to confess, and often killed.

Asylums late 15th and early 16th centuries

Madhouses or Asylums were created Medieval England generally accepted a naturalistic explanation for odd behavior These government sponsored institutions gave refuge to the poor as well as disturbed. Conditions were usually terrible and residents were treated as criminals and exploited like animals at a zoo.

The Reform Movement late 18th and early 19th centuries

Frenchmen Pussin and Pinel advocated moral treatment Inmates were typically viewed as dangerous, not as sick and in need of treatment The idea of moral treatment spread:
Rush and Dix in U.S. Tuke in Europe

A Step Backward mid-late 19th century

Moral therapy fell victim to apathy Abnormal behaviors were considered incurable Mental institutions in U.S. grew and gave little more than custodial care. Condition deteriorated: straitjackets, handcuffs, cribs, straps, etc. were used. By 1950, mental instit. Pop. Was million.

Today
Fewer are in mental hospitals We have great outpatient facilities Public is more aware/educated Great medications for psychosis Government seems serious about support Clinicians and experimentalists work together We have a scientific method