CHAPTER 1: Historical Background Flashcards
What is the definition of abnormal psychology?
- Scientific study of abnormal behaviour in an effort to describe, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning
- Many definitions of been proposed but none of them has won total acceptance
What are the two common features across all definition of abnormal psychology?
The four Ds
- Deviance
- Distress
- Dysfunction
- Danger
Influences
- Norms
- Culture
- Context
Is Abnormal Psychology defined by general criteria in society?
Yes
What did Thomas Szasz posit regarding societal involvement?
Posits that societal involvement may invalidate the concept of mental illness
What is treatment/therapy?
- Procedure designed to change abnormal behavior into more normal behavior
- Definitional challenges closely related to defining abnormality
What are the essential features of all therapy forms?
- Sufferer or patient
- Trained, socially accepted healer or therapist
- Series of therapeutic contacts between the healer and the sufferer
- Despite their differences, most clinicians agree that large numbers of people need therapy of one kind or another
Has every society in the present and past witnessed psychological abnormality?
Yes
What did ancient societies raged abnormal behaviour as?
the work of evil spirits
What were ancient societies treatment for abnormal behaviour?
Trephination and exorcism
How did the greek/roman (500 B.C. to 500 A.D.) views on abnormal behaviour differ than those of ancient times?
• Philosophers and physicians offered different explanations
and treatments for abnormal behaviors
• Hippocrates believed and taught that illnesses had natural causes; four humors
What were the greek/roman (500 B.C. to 500 A.D.) treatments for abnormal behaviour?
- Quiet life
- Vegetable diet
- Temperance
- Exercise
- Celibacy
- Bleeding
When did demonology return?
500-1350 A.D. – Middle Ages
What happened when demonology returned in 500-1350 A.D.? How did the perception of abnormalities change?
• Church rejected scientific forms of investigation and controlled
all education
• Mental disorders had demonic causes; mass madness; shared delusions and hallucinations
• At the close of the Middle Ages, demonology and its methods began to lose favor again
What was the treatment of abnormalities in 500-1350 A.D. when demonology returned?
- Exorcism
- Torture
- Gradually hospitalization
How did perception of abnormalities change in 1400-1700 A.D.?
With increased scientific knowledge, demonological views of abnormality continued to decline
Who is Johann Weyer? and what did he believe?
Weyer was the first mental health physician; believed that the mind was as susceptible to sickness as the body
When did the reform and moral treatment begin?
19th century
What happened during the 19th century?
Care of people with mental disorders began to improve
Moral treatment movement ended in the United States and Europe by the early twentieth century
What did Pinel and Tuke contribute?
Advocated moral treatment that emphasized humane and respectful techniques
What did Benjamin Rush promote?
- Promoted moral treatment in the United States
* Movement disintegrated in the late nineteenth century; mental hospitals warehoused inmates and provided minimal care
When did people with severe disturbances begin to get cared for?
New psychotropic medications discovered in 1950s
What were the New psychotropic medications discovered in 1950s?
A) Antipsychotic drugs
B) Antidepressant drugs
C) Anti anxiety Drugs
What did the New psychotropic medications discovered in 1950s lead to?
deinstitutionalization and rise in outpatient care
How were people with severe disturbances treated before the 1950s?
Almost all outpatient care took the form of private
psychotherapy
