The study of psychopathology has evolved throughout the years; because the mind is regarded as such an elusive entity abnormal psychology has always been considered the wacky science because it is extremely hard to prove. Therapists, scientists, and psychologists are continuously working to alter this fake science label. In the early beginnings of abnormal psychology, which date back as far as 1879. Psychology was often studied in relation to philosophy. Three primary areas of study emerged as the study of psychology evolved. It is said that each one is reflective of the time in which it was conceived; nonetheless, psychology became an increasingly accepted field of study.
The three schools of thought are:
* Psychoanalysis, this area of study was founded by Sigmund Freud in the 1890s, it focuses primarily on the unconscious mind and psychopathology. Initially this area of thought was heavily criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and factual support.
* Behaviorism, this area of study founded by John B. Watson in the early 1900s, it focused on a more observational approach, relying on cause and effect models of analysis. Behaviorism took its lead from the original experimental field of study, while completely negating all main tenets of the psychoanalytical model.
* Existentialism/Humanistic, this area of study was founded in the 1950s, this area of study combined the tenets of psychoanalysis and behaviorism in the study of the human experience as a whole process. Humanistic psychology's primary focus was on mental growth and development, as opposed to psychopathology. Some major contributors were Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Fritz Perls
The way different societies understand abnormal behavior strongly affects the way they treat it. The biological model used to explain abnormal behavior reasons that abnormal behaviors could and should be treated as any other disease or illness of the body. The biological model also studies the effects of...