Throughout history there is evidence of abnormal behavior,
consider Daniel 4:33 from one of the oldest books in history, the Bible, when
King Nebuchadnezzar went from his people and lived as one of the oxen in the
fields, allowing his hair and nails to grow ragged and ate of the grass as the
animals. Though his story is but one of
many who reiterate the abnormalities of human behavior, the history of
psychopathology is in itself fascinating and controversial regardless of its
relatively young existence. The
challenges of defining, classifying, and explaining abnormal behavior became
the focus behind the core concepts that attempt to enable a more definitive
definition so that treat will be more effective. Although to fully understand the intricacies
of abnormal psychology one must peer into its origins, evolutions, and
theoretical models, in other word the historic perspectives of abnormal
psychology.
Origins of Abnormal
Psychology
Although psychopathology is just a few centuries-old the
challenges of identifying the difference between the expected (normal) behavior
and the accepted (abnormal) behavior remains vague; however, there have been
considerable changes to the way people identify abnormality. Guidelines known as core concepts (e.g., context,
continuum, cultural, and historical relativism) help to identify “who is abnormal,
what kind of abnormality is involved, what causes it, and how… [to treat it]”
(Hansell & Damour, 2008, p. 4).
Regardless, concerning the classification of normal and abnormal
behavior there are still many challenges.
Challenges of
Defining and Classifying
Context and
continuum. According to Hansell and
Damour (2008), “understanding the circumstances surrounding any behavior,” the
context in which it occurs, and the demographic content (e.g., age, sex,
economic classification, culture, etc.) of any behavior influence the
definition, classification, explanation, and treatment of any behavioral
disorder. In addition one must take into
consideration the continuum between normal and abnormal behavior for an
exaggeration of normality in one person is not necessarily abnormal in another
person, thus making it difficult to identify a definitive line between normal
and abnormal.
Cultural and
historical relativism. A primitive
explanation of abnormal behavior or rather “mental disturbance” was that of a
spiritual possession known as animism.
According to Hansell and Damour (2008), archeological evidence provides
proof that the practices of drilling holes in the human skull (known as
trephination) was a treatment method for patients with animism; the goal was to
release the evil spirit within that was causing the disturbance. Because historically the origins of mental
illness were widely unknown it was not uncommon for the seriously ill to be
sent to an asylum where conditions were often cruel and inhumane (Hansell &
Damour, 2008). Known as cultural and
historical relativism, these types of behaviors were completely acceptable in
their day.
Abnormal Psychology’s
Evolution as a Scientific Discipline
Categorizing psychopathology as a scientific discipline
requires the use of diagnostic classifications and history reflects the first
humane psychiatric treatment system was the product of the late eighteenth
century “French psychiatrist Philippe Pinel (1745-1826);” however, any such
system must also display both reliability and validity, which can prove challenging
as well (Hansell & Damour, 2008, p.
75). Pinel’s initial diagnostic system,
unlike the modern DSM-IV-TR, had only four types of mental abnormalities:
melancholia, mania, idiocy, and dementia; although a century later, Kraepelin’s
(1856-1926) diagnostic system expanded the number of diagnosable disorders to
13 (Berrior & Hauser, 1988; Jablensky, 1995; Krapelin, 1899, 1904; as
restated by Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Over the last century interest in mental illness has been on the
increase as has the development of its medical diagnostic system, the American
Psychiatric Association (APA) published the first edition of the Diagnostic
Systems Manuel (DSM-I) in 1952 with an overwhelming “108” mental disorders
(Hansel & Damour, 2008, p. 76).
Since that time there have been three additional publications, the last
edition (DSM-IV-TR) with “over 300 separate disorders” (p. 76). As of May 2013 the APA was to release the publication
of the DSM-5 (APA, 2013). Despite the
acceptance of the APA’s DSM, many critics content that it pathologies many
normal behaviors, thus decreasing its reliability and validity; furthermore, there
is additional contention of heavy biological and cultural biases (Hansell &
Damour, 2008).
Theoretical Models of
Abnormal Psychology
Explaining
abnormality depends on the theoretical perspective that one takes on (e.g.,
psychosocial, biological, sociocultural, etc.); however, the core concepts as
discussed earlier should always be a part of each theory in defining,
identifying, and ultimately treating any mental disorder.
Psychosocial
Perspective. As an ever-evolving
school of thought psychodynamic theorists attempt to bring the unconscious to
the conscious where dangerous emotional conflicts influence maladaptive
behaviors. Therapy is achieved through
insight and self-exploration, what therapists call “free association” (Hansell & Damour, 2008, p. 48).
Biological
Perspective. Genetics and evolution
obviously play a part in the development of human behavior but biological
perspectives seek to identify the association between pedigree and mental
disorders. The relationship between the
physical and the biochemical, specifically as it relates to the behavioral
patterns. This perspective looks heavily
toward genetic predispositions and existing medical conditions as contributing
factors of even the slightest mental disorder.
Sociocultural
Perspective. Focusing on the effects
of social, cultural, and familial environments sociocultural perspectives look
at the uniqueness of how these forces shape normal and abnormal behaviors
(Hansell & Damour, 2008). Cultural
and historical relativism is a core concept in every perspective but is the
major concept in the sociocultural perspective.
A major focus on social and cultural context is important; however,
maladaptive family dynamics is a key emphasis to psychopathology (Hansell &
Damour, 2008).
Conclusion
The abnormalities of man are as ageless as time but
psychopathology over the last century has defined the core concepts that help
to identify the who, what, and why of abnormalities. Psychologists also face difficulties in
defining and classifying abnormal behavior but strive to ensure the reliability
and validity of his or her theoretical perspective. Regardless, as rich as psychopathology’s
past, its future looks even more colorful.
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