Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context
CHAPTER ONE ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT OVERALL SUMMARY This chapter presents an overview of past and future conceptions of abnormal behavior. Specifically, the chapter introduces the concept of abnormal behavior and its definitional components, outlines some primary professions in the field and terms for understanding psychological disorders, describes biological, psychological, and supernatural models of abnormal behavior in a historical context, and summarizes a multidimensional integrative scientific approach for understanding psychopathology. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Define abnormal behavior (psychological disorder) and describe psychological dysfunction, distress, and atypical or unexpected cultural responses. 2. Describe the scientist-practitioner model. 3. Place psychopathology in its historical context by identifying historical conceptions of abnormal behavior in terms of supernatural influences. 4. Trace the major historical developments and underlying assumptions of the biological approach to understanding abnormal behavior. 5. Describe the different approaches of the psychological tradition (i.e. psychoanalysis, humanism, and behavioral) with regard to their explanations of abnormal behavior. 6. Explain the importance of science and the scientific method as applied to abnormal behavior. 7. Describe the multidimensional-integrative approach to diagnosing and evaluating abnormal behavior and explain why it is important. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS Understanding Psychopathology What Is a Psychological Disorder? The Science of Psychopathology Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior The Supernatural Tradition Demons and Witches Stress and Melancholy Treatments for Possession Mass Hysteria Modern Mass Hysteria The Moon and the Stars Comments