Historical and Contemporary Views of Abnormal Behavior

Introduction

This chapter explores how abnormal behavior has been understood and treated throughout history, from supernatural explanations to early medical and philosophical theories. Understanding these perspectives provides context for modern approaches to mental health.

Historical Views of Abnormal Behavior

Ancient Treatments and Beliefs

• Stone Age: Practices such as trephining (drilling holes in the skull) were used, possibly 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 thought to be possessed by good spirits or gods and were respected for their powers.

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

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

Example: A person experiencing hallucinations might be seen as a prophet or as cursed, depending on the cultural context.

Early Medical Concepts

Hippocrates' Contributions

• 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 heredity and predisposition.

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

• Stressed the importance of dreams in understanding personality.

• Developed the four humors theory, suggesting temperament is determined by the dominance of one of four bodily fluids:

  • Blood (sanguine)

  • Phlegm (phlegmatic)

  • Yellow bile (choleric)

  • Black bile (melancholic)

Example: An excess of black bile was thought to cause melancholia (depression).

Philosophical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior

Plato's Views (429–347 B.C.)

• Viewed psychological phenomena as responses of the whole organism.

• Emphasized individual differences in intellectual abilities and the influence of sociocultural factors on behavior.

• Discussed the importance of hospital care for those with beliefs contrary to social norms.

Aristotle's Contributions (384–322 B.C.)

• Wrote extensively about mental disorders.

• Provided lasting descriptions of consciousness, influencing later psychological thought.

Summary Table: Early Explanations of Abnormal Behavior

Key Terms

• Trephining: An ancient surgical procedure involving drilling into the skull.

• Exorcism: Rituals intended to expel evil spirits from a person.

• Four Humors: Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile; believed to determine health and temperament.

• Mania: A state of abnormally elevated arousal, affect, and energy level.

• Melancholia: A historical term for depression.

• Phrenitis: An ancient term for brain fever or inflammation.