The Road to Psychopathology
Brittany Dancer
Psych/515
March 21, 2010
Dr. Duncan
The Road to Psychopathology
Much of what we study today in abnormal psychology can be seen all around us on a daily. There is no consensus on what is considered abnormal or even normal behavior for that matter, so we have no fixed course of treatment. There are many theories, alongside their theorists that have developed over the span of several centuries of psychology. From the very origin of the study of psychopathology until today much has been involved in the creating of assessment tools, therapy techniques, hospital treatment, and medications. The psychology discipline has developed in to a more scientific field, using data, and research to validate many of the available theories and assist in treatment.
Origins
The history of psychopathology dates back to the Stone Age and is said to have evolved from there as more was discovered about one’s biology, behaviors, environments, and their link to mental development. Many theorists in theses early times contributed abnormal behavior to that of demonic possession or an angry God punishing an individual. “Most possessions, however, were considered to be the work of an angry god or an evil spirit, particularly when a person became excited or overactive and engaged in behavior contrary to religious teachings” (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2010, p. 30) . The first major strides in the understanding and treatment of psychopathology took place in the middle 400 B.C. era. From that point on ward the study of abnormal psychology greatly developed into what it is today.
Historical Views
Back in the early days of the world not much was known about mental disorders and their causes. A person displaying and unusual or abnormal behavior was said to be possessed and the remedy was magic, prayers, and incantations. The first actual progress was made by Hippocrates, a Greek physician, who believed that like any biological disease...