Chapter 1 – Page 1
CHAPTER 1
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR IN HISTORICAL
CONTEXT
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter presents an overview of past and future conceptions of abnormal behavior.
Specifically, it introduces the concept of abnormal behavior and its definitional components while
also describing the science of psychopathology; outlines some primary professions in the field
and terms for understanding psychological disorders; describes supernatural, biological, and
psychological models of abnormal behavior in a historical context; and summarizes a
multidimensional integrative scientific approach for understanding psychopathology.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe key concepts, principles, and Explain why psychology is a science with the
overarching themes in psychology primary objectives of describing,
understanding, predicting, and controlling
behavior and mental processes.
Use basic psychological terminology, concepts,
and theories in psychology to explain behavior
and mental processes.
Develop a working knowledge of the content Summarize important aspects of history of
domains of psychology psychology, including key figures, central
concerns, methods used, and theoretical
conflicts.
Identify key characteristics of major content
domains in psychology (e.g., cognition and
learning, developmental, biological, and socio-
cultural)
Use scientific reasoning to interpret behavior Explain why psychology is a science with the
primary objectives of describing,
understanding, predicting, and controlling
behavior and mental processes.
Incorporate several appropriate levels of
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Chapter 1 – Page 2
complexity (e.g., cellular, individual,
group/system, society/cultural) to explain
behavior.
1. How do psychologists define a psychological disorder?
2. What is a scientist-practitioner?
3. What supernatural influences were formerly believed to explain abnormal behavior?
4. What are the underlying assumptions of the biological approach to understanding
abnormal behavior?
5. How do the psychological approaches of psychoanalysis, humanism, and behaviorism
explain abnormal behavior?
6. Why is the scientific method so important in studying abnormal behavior?
CHAPTER OUTLINE
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
THE BIOLOGICAL TRADITION
Hippocrates and Galen
The 19th Century
The Development of Biological Treatments
Consequences of the Biological Tradition
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRADITION
Moral Therapy
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Chapter 1 – Page 3
Asylum Reform and the Decline of Moral Therapy
Psychoanalytic Theory
Humanistic Theory
The Behavioral Model
AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH
DETAILED OUTLINE
Understanding Psychopathology
How do psychologists define a psychological disorder?
A psychological disorder, or problematic abnormal behavior, is (1) a psychological
dysfunction within an individual that is (2) associated with distress or impairment in
functioning and (3) a response that is not typical or culturally expected. All three basic
criteria must be met; no one criterion alone has yet been identified that defines the essence of
abnormality.
DISCUSSION POINT:
What are some behaviors that may be considered “abnormal” by the above definitions, but
do not constitute a psychological disorder?
DISCUSSION POINT:
Do the words “abnormal” and “pathological” necessary mean the same thing? Can you be
one without being the other? Is abnormality an “either-or” construct, or is it better thought
of as a continuum?
The field of psychopathology is concerned with the scientific study of psychological
disorders. Trained mental health professionals range from clinical and counseling
psychologists to psychiatrists and psychiatric social workers and nurses. Each profession
requires a specific type of training.
What is a scientist-practitioner?
Using scientific methods, mental health professionals can function as scientist-practitioners.
They not only keep up with the latest findings but also use scientific data to evaluate their
own work, and they often conduct research within their clinics or hospitals.
Research about psychological disorders falls into three basic categories: clinical description
(prevalence, incidence, course prognosis), causation (etiology), and treatment and outcomes.
DISCUSSION POINT:
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Chapter 1 – Page 4
What are some of the factors that may lead a person to have a psychological disorder, such
as depression?
Be sure to elicit answers involving biological, psychological, and social components.
DISCUSSION POINT:
Why do you think that two people can be diagnosed with the exact same psychological
disorder while appearing to share none of the causative factors of that condition?
Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior
Historically, there have been three prominent approaches to abnormal behavior. In the
supernatural tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to agents outside our bodies or social
environment, such as demons, spirits, or the influence of the moon and stars; although still
alive, this tradition has been largely replaced by biological and psychological perspectives. In
the biological tradition, disorders are attributed to disease or biochemical imbalances. In the
psychological tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to faulty psychological development
and to social context. It was from the psychological perspective that a renewed interest in the
moral treatment of the mentally ill emerged, beginning in the late 1700s with Philippe Pinel.
What supernatural influences were formerly believed to explain abnormal behavior?
Each tradition has its own way of treating individuals who suffer from psychological
disorders. The supernatural influences believed to explain abnormal behavior included the
devil, witches, and possession by evil spirits. Supernatural treatments included exorcism to
rid the body of supernatural spirits, shaving the pattern of a cross in the hair of the victim’s
head, and securing sufferers to a wall near the front of a church.
What are the underlying assumptions of the biological approach to understanding abnormal
behavior?
The underlying assumption of the biological approach in understanding abnormal
behavior is the idea that there is a physical cause to abnormal behavior. Biological treatments
typically emphasize physical care and the search for medical cures, especially drugs.
How do the psychological approaches of psychoanalysis, humanism, and behaviorism explain
abnormal behavior?
Psychological approaches use psychosocial treatments, beginning with moral therapy and including modern
psychotherapy. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalytic therapy, offered an elaborate
conception of the unconscious mind, much of which is still conjecture. In therapy, Freud focused
on tapping into the mysteries of the unconscious through such techniques as catharsis, free
association, and dream analysis. Although Freud’s followers steered from his path in many ways,
Freud’s influence can still be felt today. Humanistic psychology explains abnormal behavior
through inevitable blocks that prevent the freedom to experience self-actualization. Maslow’s
hierarchy of need and Rogers’ person-centered therapy were leaders in the movement that
focused on human potential.
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
CHAPTER 1
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR IN HISTORICAL
CONTEXT
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter presents an overview of past and future conceptions of abnormal behavior.
Specifically, it introduces the concept of abnormal behavior and its definitional components while
also describing the science of psychopathology; outlines some primary professions in the field
and terms for understanding psychological disorders; describes supernatural, biological, and
psychological models of abnormal behavior in a historical context; and summarizes a
multidimensional integrative scientific approach for understanding psychopathology.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe key concepts, principles, and Explain why psychology is a science with the
overarching themes in psychology primary objectives of describing,
understanding, predicting, and controlling
behavior and mental processes.
Use basic psychological terminology, concepts,
and theories in psychology to explain behavior
and mental processes.
Develop a working knowledge of the content Summarize important aspects of history of
domains of psychology psychology, including key figures, central
concerns, methods used, and theoretical
conflicts.
Identify key characteristics of major content
domains in psychology (e.g., cognition and
learning, developmental, biological, and socio-
cultural)
Use scientific reasoning to interpret behavior Explain why psychology is a science with the
primary objectives of describing,
understanding, predicting, and controlling
behavior and mental processes.
Incorporate several appropriate levels of
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Chapter 1 – Page 2
complexity (e.g., cellular, individual,
group/system, society/cultural) to explain
behavior.
1. How do psychologists define a psychological disorder?
2. What is a scientist-practitioner?
3. What supernatural influences were formerly believed to explain abnormal behavior?
4. What are the underlying assumptions of the biological approach to understanding
abnormal behavior?
5. How do the psychological approaches of psychoanalysis, humanism, and behaviorism
explain abnormal behavior?
6. Why is the scientific method so important in studying abnormal behavior?
CHAPTER OUTLINE
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
THE BIOLOGICAL TRADITION
Hippocrates and Galen
The 19th Century
The Development of Biological Treatments
Consequences of the Biological Tradition
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRADITION
Moral Therapy
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Chapter 1 – Page 3
Asylum Reform and the Decline of Moral Therapy
Psychoanalytic Theory
Humanistic Theory
The Behavioral Model
AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH
DETAILED OUTLINE
Understanding Psychopathology
How do psychologists define a psychological disorder?
A psychological disorder, or problematic abnormal behavior, is (1) a psychological
dysfunction within an individual that is (2) associated with distress or impairment in
functioning and (3) a response that is not typical or culturally expected. All three basic
criteria must be met; no one criterion alone has yet been identified that defines the essence of
abnormality.
DISCUSSION POINT:
What are some behaviors that may be considered “abnormal” by the above definitions, but
do not constitute a psychological disorder?
DISCUSSION POINT:
Do the words “abnormal” and “pathological” necessary mean the same thing? Can you be
one without being the other? Is abnormality an “either-or” construct, or is it better thought
of as a continuum?
The field of psychopathology is concerned with the scientific study of psychological
disorders. Trained mental health professionals range from clinical and counseling
psychologists to psychiatrists and psychiatric social workers and nurses. Each profession
requires a specific type of training.
What is a scientist-practitioner?
Using scientific methods, mental health professionals can function as scientist-practitioners.
They not only keep up with the latest findings but also use scientific data to evaluate their
own work, and they often conduct research within their clinics or hospitals.
Research about psychological disorders falls into three basic categories: clinical description
(prevalence, incidence, course prognosis), causation (etiology), and treatment and outcomes.
DISCUSSION POINT:
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Chapter 1 – Page 4
What are some of the factors that may lead a person to have a psychological disorder, such
as depression?
Be sure to elicit answers involving biological, psychological, and social components.
DISCUSSION POINT:
Why do you think that two people can be diagnosed with the exact same psychological
disorder while appearing to share none of the causative factors of that condition?
Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior
Historically, there have been three prominent approaches to abnormal behavior. In the
supernatural tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to agents outside our bodies or social
environment, such as demons, spirits, or the influence of the moon and stars; although still
alive, this tradition has been largely replaced by biological and psychological perspectives. In
the biological tradition, disorders are attributed to disease or biochemical imbalances. In the
psychological tradition, abnormal behavior is attributed to faulty psychological development
and to social context. It was from the psychological perspective that a renewed interest in the
moral treatment of the mentally ill emerged, beginning in the late 1700s with Philippe Pinel.
What supernatural influences were formerly believed to explain abnormal behavior?
Each tradition has its own way of treating individuals who suffer from psychological
disorders. The supernatural influences believed to explain abnormal behavior included the
devil, witches, and possession by evil spirits. Supernatural treatments included exorcism to
rid the body of supernatural spirits, shaving the pattern of a cross in the hair of the victim’s
head, and securing sufferers to a wall near the front of a church.
What are the underlying assumptions of the biological approach to understanding abnormal
behavior?
The underlying assumption of the biological approach in understanding abnormal
behavior is the idea that there is a physical cause to abnormal behavior. Biological treatments
typically emphasize physical care and the search for medical cures, especially drugs.
How do the psychological approaches of psychoanalysis, humanism, and behaviorism explain
abnormal behavior?
Psychological approaches use psychosocial treatments, beginning with moral therapy and including modern
psychotherapy. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalytic therapy, offered an elaborate
conception of the unconscious mind, much of which is still conjecture. In therapy, Freud focused
on tapping into the mysteries of the unconscious through such techniques as catharsis, free
association, and dream analysis. Although Freud’s followers steered from his path in many ways,
Freud’s influence can still be felt today. Humanistic psychology explains abnormal behavior
through inevitable blocks that prevent the freedom to experience self-actualization. Maslow’s
hierarchy of need and Rogers’ person-centered therapy were leaders in the movement that
focused on human potential.
© 2019 Cengage. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
