lecture 11: Psychological challenges Flashcards
Deviance and Historical Perspectives in Psychology
- Personal Stress and Dysfunction
- Violation of Norms
- Cultural Relativity
- Symptoms and Presentation
- Harm to Self and Others
Personal Stress and Dysfunction
○ Personal stress and dysfunction, hindering one’s ability to carry out daily tasks, may indicate the need for intervention.
○ Inability to work, take care of oneself, or attend to others in one’s care suggests a potential problem.
Violation of Norms
○ Behavior violating socially accepted norms alone may not be sufficient to label it a psychological disorder.
○ Psychological evaluation considers the impact on personal functioning and distress levels in addition to societal norms.
Cultural Relativity
○ Cultural context plays a crucial role in interpreting behavior.
○ Behaviors deemed abnormal in one context might be accepted or even praised in another.
Symptoms and Presentation
○ Different symptoms, whether psychological or physiological, can indicate the presence of psychological conditions.
○ The nature of symptoms influences the decision to intervene.
Harm to Self and Others
○ Intervention is often warranted if individuals pose a risk of harm to themselves or others.
○ Severe harm, whether self-inflicted or affecting others, is a significant factor in determining the need for action.
Historical Perspective on Normalcy
○ Definitions of normal and abnormal have evolved over time.
○ Those in power historically dictated societal norms, often based on characteristics like race, gender, and wealth.
Case of Hysteria
○ Hysteria, considered a psychological condition in the past, particularly affected women.
○ The belief that the uterus could wander, leading to treatments such as manual massage and even the invention of the vibrator.
Evolution of Psychological Understanding
○ Advancements in psychological research and standardized practices have improved the accuracy of diagnoses.
○ Historical practices, like treating hysteria, demonstrate the significant gaps in early psychological understanding.
Worldview and Spiritual Beliefs
○ Historical perspectives heavily relied on the prevalent worldview and spiritual beliefs.
○ Abnormal behavior often attributed to possession or punishment by spiritual forces.
Challenges in Early Psychological Practices
○ Limited knowledge of psychological disorders led to trial and error approaches.
○ Early practitioners had diverse and sometimes bizarre theories due to a lack of standardized methods.
Brain Swelling and Demon Expulsion
○ Instances of brain swelling were interpreted as possession by evil spirits.
○ Remedies included creating holes in the skull to release the spirit, relieving pressure, and providing relief.
Cultural and Gender Biases
○ Cultural biases and gender stereotypes influenced early perceptions of psychological disorders.
○ The field has progressed, challenging biases and working towards a more comprehensive understanding
Psychological Theories and Treatments
- Worldview and Spiritual Beliefs
- Brain Swelling and Demon Expulsion
- Ancient Greek Humoral Theory
- Galen’s Contributions
- Introduction of Psychological Asylums
- Treatment of a Prince’s Delusion
- Transition during the Renaissance
- Concept of Lunacy and Moon’s Influence
- Medical Model Emergence
- Humanitarian Perspective
Ancient Greek Humoral Theory
○ Originating in ancient Greece, humoral theory linked bodily fluids to elemental properties.
○ Bloodletting and other treatments aimed to restore balance in bodily fluids to alleviate disorders.
Galen’s Contributions
○ Galen, an ancient Roman physician, contributed to the understanding of physical and psychological aspects.
○ Bloodletting and vomiting were common treatments based on the imbalance of bodily fluids
Introduction of Psychological Asylums
○ Ibn Sina, an Arab physician and polymath, introduced psychological approaches in the Arab world.
○ The term “asylum” originated from an Arabic word, reflecting the concept of sanctuary or refuge.
Treatment of a Prince’s Delusion
○ Ibn Sina addressed a prince who believed he was a cow.
○ Through a creative intervention, Ibn Sina guided the prince to nourish his “cow” form, providing a historical example of psychological treatment.
Transition during the Renaissance
○ The Renaissance marked a shift from spiritual explanations to a focus on the “breath of life.”
○ Rejecting the notion of possession, this era began exploring psychological influences on behavior.
Medical Model Emergence
○ Over time, a more systematic medical model evolved.
○ This shift allowed individuals with psychological conditions to regain a sense of human dignity, moving away from the notion of possession and deserved fate.
Concept of Lunacy and Moon’s Influence
○ The term “lunacy” derived from the belief that the moon’s light influenced behavior.
○ People behaving irrationally were thought to be under the moon’s influence, contributing to the term “lunatic.”
Humanitarian Perspective
○ The medical model facilitated a more compassionate approach to individuals with psychological disorders.
○ It reduced stigmatization, acknowledging that mental health issues were not a result of divine punishment.
