Abnormal Psychology Essentials

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Table of Contents

Origin of Abnormal Psychology
How Abnormal Psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline
Theoretical perspectives in Abnormal psychology
Conclusion
References

The main theme of psychology is to study behavior which generally may be normal or abnormal behavior. General psychology has put much emphasis on normal behavior while abnormal psychology has concentrated in studying abnormal behavior (Sharma, 2004). Abnormal behavior in this context may refer to those activities not seen to be normal among individuals.

Further, individual’s behaviors are seen to be composed of individual’s external activities as well as internal experiences. Although there exists no unified definition of normal and abnormal individual due to variation in culture and environment, abnormal individuals have been categorized into four groups depending on characteristics demonstrated by the individual who in turn qualifies to be regarded abnormal.

The four categories are: psychoneurotic, psychotic, mentally deficient or feeble-minded, and anti-social (Sharma, 2004). Therefore, the basis of this essay will be to explore the field of abnormal psychology with emphasis on the origins of abnormal psychology, how abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline, and the theoretical viewpoints of biological, psychosocial and sociocultural models.

Origin of Abnormal Psychology

No precise date or time has been forwarded as the exact time when abnormal psychology may have originated but many literatures concur that the field dates back to hundreds if not thousands of years (Getzfeld, 2010).

Stone Age period and civilization has been linked with some serious evidence of mental illness or abnormal behavior and explanation for these abnormal behaviors is that they were as a result of being possessed by evil spirits (Getzfeld, 2010).

Existing and current archeological artifacts show skulls with holes bored in them and that during this period, individual possessed with evils would bore a hole in the skull with belief that evils could use the hole to get out of the individual (Getzfeld, 2010).

As society advanced the mechanism of ‘removing’ evils among possessed individuals was performed through exorcisms under the watch or guidance of a priest.

Hippocrates (377 B.C.) regarded as the father of modern medicine, further advanced the views of abnormal behaviors where his general view and conviction was that abnormal behavior and illness in general resulted from internal factors and therefore could be linked to biological processes or etiologies (Getzfeld, 2010).

Hippocrates therefore suggested that individuals who are ill needed to rest, have proper diet, demonstrate sobriety and exercise and that taking care of individual body lead to healthy of the mind (Getzfeld, 2010).

During the Middle Ages which is believed to have been a period between fifth and fifteenth century, individuals in many societies held the view that demons were responsible to the mental illness in certain groups of people and even in Greek and Roman societies where earlier people had associated illness to physiological factors, and conditions became victims of this new belief (Getzfeld, 2010).

During this period, plagues were dominant in society and people used exorcisms to ‘treat’ the condition together with other mental illness.

During the Renaissance period, between 1400 and 1700 A.D., treatment for mental illness were boosted by tremendous improvements since people with mental problems were perceived to be mentally sick and therefore they needed treatment alongside there sick bodies (Getzfeld, 2010). Renaissance also saw emergence of asylums where people perceived to be mentally sick were treated in humane manner.

Their popularity resulted into overcrowding and as fate would dictate they were turned into punishment and torture avenues (Getzfeld, 2010). Reforms in mental health treatment became straddled and dormant until the 19th and 20the centuries (Getzfeld, 2010). Philippe Pineland Dorothea Dix became key figures of 19th century in advocating for reforms in ensuring proper treatment of mentally ill individuals.

Pinel for instance, advocated for mentally ill persons to be treated with sympathy, compassion and empathy and not with beatings and torture (Getzfeld, 2010). On her part, Dorothea participated in initiatives of putting up mental hospitals in USA and also participated in reforms intended to ensure humane treatment of mentally ill persons (Getzfeld, 2010).

How Abnormal Psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline

Since its origin and subsequent development through stages abnormal psychology has graduated as a science disciplined utilizing all essentials that describe or justify a science. For instance a scientific investigation starts with an experimental hypothesis that is formulated to find answers to specific phenomena (Durand and Barlow, 2005).

After hypothesis there is need for testing the hypothesis (testability), which is the ability to support the hypothesis. Testability of hypothesis leads to seeking solutions and making conclusions about particular phenomena.

Testability of phenomena needs to reflect both internal and external validity, a process that is undertaken using three main scientific strategies: control groups, randomization and analog models (Durand and Barlow, 2005).

Once the result of a scientific experimental hypothesis have been established, there is always need to apply the results to other people rather than the subjects of the study and also in other settings different from that of the subjects. As a result scientific findings have to be generalized (generalizability) to the larger population (Durand and Barlow, 2005).

Abnormal psychology is regarded to be a science or to have evolved into a science because most of the studies and investigations in the field are carried out within the above outlined scientific steps and evidence shows that the disciplines fulfills all the necessary scientific steps in its studies (Durand and Barlow, 2005).

Theoretical perspectives in Abnormal psychology

Biological models promote the idea of genetic influence in abnormal behavior. Studies on individuals’ physical characteristics such as height, color and even weight have been associated with hereditary factors or influence (Durand and Barlow, 2008). Further disorders like Huntington disease and phenylketonuria (PKU) are seen to be hereditary which can pass down from one individual to another in a particular lineage.

But the genetic debate has been controversial especially with regard as to whether behaviors can be influenced genetically (Durand and Barlow, 2008). Momentum of the debate has been spiced up specifically with the nature vs. nurture arguments.

But relying on evidence that and experiments generated by scientists it has become evident that there is genetic contribution to psychological disorders and related patterns (Durand and Barlow, 2008).

Psychosocial models on the other hand promote the view that certain specific psychological aspects in terms of dysfunctional may be demonstrated by particular in society which in turn may result into abnormal manifestation of behavior (Durand and Barlow, 2008).

For instance emotions of anger, fear, sadness or distress and excitement have been found to contribute and facilitate many psychological disorders (Durand and Barlow, 2008). Further emotions together with mood have been found to affect cognitive processes that in turn may result into abnormal behavior.

Lastly, sociocultural models postulate that there are specific social, interpersonal and cultural factors that may be responsible for abnormal behaviors.

Around many societies of the world individuals are seen to suffer from fright disorder, exaggerated startle responses and other observable fears which on heightened note results into abnormal behavior (Durand and Barlow, 2008). This kind of fear is largely manifested in phobia and which tend to be universal influenced by individuals social environment.

Conclusion

As a sub-branch of the main-stream psychology, abnormal psychology has continued to grow where now it boosts its own scope of study which is wide.

It is regarded as a science for it is able to operate within the precepts and rules of science disciplines. Nevertheless, as a relatively young discipline, abnormal psychology will continue to change and modify as behavior of individuals get much influence from the social and biological factors.

References

Durand, V. M., and Barlow, D. H. (2004). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology. CA: Cengage Learning. Web.

Durand, V. M., and Barlow, D. H. (2008). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. NY: Cengage Learning. Web.

Getzfeld, A. R. (2010). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology. NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Web.

Sharma, R. (2004). Abnormal Psychology. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. Web.

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