Historical and Contemporary Views of Abnormal Behavior

Introduction

This chapter explores the evolution of ideas and practices regarding abnormal behavior, tracing the development from ancient supernatural explanations to early scientific and philosophical approaches. Understanding these historical perspectives provides context for modern theories and treatments in abnormal psychology.

Historical Views of Abnormal Behavior

Ancient Treatments and Beliefs

• Stone Age: Trephining was practiced, involving drilling holes in the skull to release evil spirits believed to cause abnormal behavior.

• Egyptian Civilization: Treatments included surgery and prayers, reflecting a blend of medical and spiritual approaches.

Demonology, Gods, and Magic

• Early Chinese, Egyptian, Hebrew, and Greek writings attributed abnormal behavior to possession by demons or gods.

• Individuals with symptoms of religious or mystical significance were considered possessed by good spirits or gods and respected for their supernatural powers.

• Those whose behavior contradicted religious teachings were thought to be possessed by angry gods or evil spirits and subjected to exorcism.

• Exorcism techniques included magic, prayer, incantations, noisemaking, and unpleasant concoctions.

Early Medical and Philosophical Concepts

Hippocrates' Early Medical Concepts

• Hippocrates (460–377 B.C.): Known as the "father of modern medicine," he proposed that mental disorders had natural, not supernatural, causes.

• Believed mental disorders were due to brain pathology and emphasized the role of heredity and predisposition.

• Classified mental disorders into three categories: mania, melancholia, and phrenitis (brain fever).

• Highlighted the importance of dreams in understanding personality.

• Promoted the four humors paradigm: temperament is determined by the dominance of one of four bodily fluids—blood (sanguine), phlegm (phlegmatic), yellow bile (choleric), and black bile (melancholic).

Early Philosophical Conceptions of Consciousness

• Plato (429–347 B.C.): Emphasized psychological phenomena as responses of the whole organism, recognized individual differences and sociocultural influences, and advocated for hospital care for those with abnormal beliefs.

• Aristotle (384–322 B.C.): Provided lasting descriptions of consciousness and contributed to early psychological thought.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Trephining: An ancient surgical procedure involving drilling into the skull, believed to release evil spirits.

• Exorcism: Rituals intended to expel evil spirits from individuals exhibiting abnormal behavior.

• Four Humors: The theory that human temperament and health are governed by four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.

• Mania: A state of abnormally elevated arousal, energy, or mood.

• Melancholia: A state of deep sadness or depression.

• Phrenitis: An ancient term for brain fever, associated with confusion and delirium.

Table: Ancient Explanations and Treatments for Abnormal Behavior

Example

For instance, a person in ancient Greece exhibiting symptoms of depression (melancholia) might be treated by adjusting their diet and lifestyle to balance the four humors, rather than through spiritual rituals.

Additional info:

• These early views laid the foundation for later scientific and humanitarian approaches to mental health, influencing the development of modern psychology and psychiatry.