The Subject of Abnormal Psychology and Its Historical Perspectives - Research Paper Example

Introduction Psychologists and professionals in behavioural psychology have made some comprehensible observations about abnormality and identified its features, meaning and significance among the people. Generally, the term abnormality is defined as an unusual behaviour that is dissimilar from the norms and abnormality constitutes behavioural patterns which do not conform to societal requirements and expectations. “Abnormality is conceived of as a cluster of behaviours” and role cultural social factors remain a significant issue in defining abnormality (Essau, & Petermann, 1997, p.448). Studies have underlined that abnormality or madness has some historical backdrops and it may be as old as mankind. Ancient myths and religious doctrines have provided substantial information about abnormality. Hinduism and Christianity have marked the presence of abnormality and their definitions about abnormality are many and varied. Ancient communities like Babylonians, Mesopotamians, and Greeks had identified abnormal behaviour religious, cultural and political factors had played a vital role in defining abnormality. Freud, eminent psychologist identified the presence of innate drives and the mode of expressions of these drives modifies the course of development. Anyhow, Modern psychologists made some relevant studies in the field of abnormal psychology. Church and its institutions had considered abnormality as an indicative of demonic procession. In 17th and 18th centuries, abnormality is widely accepted as a symbol of fashionable life related to genius, creativity and sensitivity. However modern psychologists have illustrated the term abnormality and explained its connections with various behavioural patterns such as neurosis, anxiety disorder and schizophrenia. In modern time, Freud and other psychologists defined abnormality through presenting Psychoanalytic theories. The process of defining abnormality requires relevant information about its meaning, historical perspectives, religious concepts, and psycho logic perspectives. Definition and meaning of abnormal psychology in the historical perspective Many researches and studies often forced the people to believe that the term abnormality is a result of statistical infrequency which reveals the fact that most people undergo psychological exertion at some time in their lifetime hence their psychological troubles are statistically normal (Psychology-abnormality, 2001). Abnormality means an unusual behaviour that is entirely different from generally accepted norms. Scholars have documented that abnormality is a deviation from an ideal; which means that behavioural changes from an ideal person. Ancient myths like Deuteronomy, The Old Testament, and Greek epics had mentioned abnormal behaviours of man. Reader can find relevant examples about the historic backdrops of abnormal behaviour patterns. The online article entitled Madness: A Brief History rightly mentions that “the Old Testament tells of many possessed of devils, and relates how the Lord punished Nebuchadnezzar by reducing him to bestial madness” (Stratavaganza, 2011). Ancient Assyrian text of around 650 BC bestows some relevant information about the abnormal behaviour patterns. Ancient Assyrians had believed that diseases constitute devilish attributes and the book clearly explains the characteristic features of a person who struggled with abnormal behaviour. Roy Porter observes that “If at the time of his possession, while he is sitting down, his left eye moves to the side, a lip puckers, saliva flows from his mouth, and his hand, leg and trunk on the left side jerk like a slaughtered sheep it is migtu” (Porter, 2001, p.54). An unusual behaviour is identified through the psychological and physiological movements of the person. If at the time of possession his mind is awake, the devilish attribute can be driven out. Similarly, if at the time of his possession, his mind is not so awake; the devil’s attributes cannot be revealed. Ancient Greeks had developed ideas about abnormality through myths and epics. Characters of Homer and Sophocles in Greek epics had demonstrated some abnormal attitude. Greek heroes in ancient mythologies struggled with the attack of external and supernatural forces. They were subjected to severe emotional vibrations like wrath, anguish and revengefulness. For instance, Homer’s Iliad often acts as a puppet in the hands of Gods, demons and Furies. Hippocratic medicine in ancient Greek culture had mentioned abnormal behavioural patterns and identified madness through connecting with different gods. As epilepsy in human mind, Hippocratic medicines had largely neutralized madness. Abnormality among the believers paved the way for discussions and debates in Christian religion. Nothing like Greeks, ancient Christianity had related abnormality in to sin, divine will, and love, and a believer’s faith. In fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, uncontrolled speech and thoughts were considered as satanic symptoms which are directed by witches. In the time of Reformation and Counter-reformation, madness was judged through religious perspectives. During the end of 1960s, exponents of Anglican Church had exposed their willingness to deny the presence of supernatural forces or demon’s attributes. The case study of Mary Glover reveals some relevant concepts about abnormality which is different from religious concepts. “With three other London doctors, Edward Jorden was summoned in 1603 to testify in the case of Elizabeth Jackson, arraigned on a charge of bewitching the 14-year-old Mary Glover” (Stratavaganza, 2011). In Hinduism, abnormality or madness is describes as a fatal flow or a punishment and it has a special demon named Grahi. According the Hindu mythology, Grahi is responsible for epileptic convulsions. In 18th century, abnormality is considered as fashionable one related with genius, creativity, sensitivity and superiority. In modern century, number of researches and studies has conducted in the field of abnormality. Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory endows with substantial information about the abnormal behaviour patterns. He identified the role of three characteristic traits id, ego and super ego in behaviour formation. Through the findings of ‘Oedipus complex’, Freud solved some relevant problems related with human personality and behaviour. The religious outlook to abnormal psychology Abnormal psychology has been considered as closely associated with the religions of the world. Abnormal behavior of the people was associated with the anger of god or the demonical involvements. It has been considered that the soul of human beings is often affected by the will of God and at times with the influence of sin. Christianity considered abnormal psychology as one affected by the after effects of sin or by the involvements of demon. The book says, “The conversion to Christianity with its emphasis on faith and its condemnation of sensual pleasure, led to a rejection of Greeco-Roman science, medicine, and philosophy” (Weckowicz & Liebel-Weckowicz, 1990, p.37). And hence the Christian Church embraced the teachings of Gnostics who “in their beliefs populated the world with spirits and demons” (Weckowicz & Liebel-Weckowicz, 1990, p.38). In Judaism abnormal psychology was originally considered as the works of Satan. As the sin was associated with the patients, most of them were killed by stones at them. According to Hinduism one of the earliest sects in the ancient world, analyzed the abnormal persons with gods and goddesses. Some persons with abnormal traits were worshipped as they were the replica of god’s presence in earth. In considering the abnormal psychology in Greek world, it was said by Thaddeus E.Weckowocs and Helen P.Liebel-Weckowics that the Greek poetry and drama reflected the changing idea of mind and madness very well (Weckowicz & Liebel-Weckowicz, 1990, p.26). The presentation of characters by Homer was a study on the abnormalities involved with them. The authors further say, “In comparison, the mental life depicted in fifth century tragedies of the classical period, showed a much greater internalization of motives, and a greater autonomy of the individual from external social and supernatural forces” (Weckowicz & Liebel-Weckowicz, 1990, p.26). So it can be said that the abnormal psychology was there in the ancient religions and classics but this was not well recognized. Abnormal psychology in the modern world In the modern world abnormal psychology is presented with new perspectives. The extended version of psychology and the importance of it have given a new realm for the abnormal psychology. It was considered a part of the physical disorders. The writer says that the mental disorders were considered as the physio-genic or diseases of the brain by psychiatrists like Griesinger of Germany and Morel and Magnan of France (Swami, 1952, pp.9-10). The experiments done by Sigmund Freud, Karl C. Yung, and others gave a definition for abnormal psychology. The writer goes on to say, “In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Charcot, Janet, Kraeplin, and Bleuer contributed wonderfully to diagnostic methods (Swami, 1952, p.10). Though the term was very confusing, they were able to give a sort of definition to abnormal psychology. The application of the abnormal psychology in the present situations has contributed much for the development of it. The emergence of abnormal psychology as a major part of human psychology shows the importance it has at the present world. Rachana Sharma retorts in her book, Abnormal Psychology that it comprises “the study of all kinds of psychoneuroses, psychoses and other abnormalities” (Sharma, 2004, p.10). Nowadays abnormal psychology has been projected as a main subject and the studies have been conducted in its relationship with anthropology, sociology, education, religion and law. In connection with all these branches the abnormal psychology has been exalted to a high position in the modern world. So abnormal psychology in the modern world is viewed as very important with regard to the physical and mental health of the citizens. Scope of abnormal psychology Considering the scope of abnormal psychology, it paves the way for so many questions. One of the most prominent questions among them is regarding the range of the study that whether it includes the study of normals also along with abnormals. Another question is whether there will be prevention and treatment of the abnormality or behavioral disorders as there are so many broad principles, theories or techniques. Whether it takes into account the environmental set-up of the abnormals in the study of their experiences and behavior also should be considered when evaluating the scope of abnormal psychology. Abnormal psychology as a discipline includes either the studies of normals as well as the abnormal, or it closely observes what behavior and activities make an individual normal or abnormal. Therefore, it is certain that the study of abnormal psychology will be incomplete without the concept of normality and abnormality in varying situations and environmental conditions. To make it clear, abnormals should themselves to know how to behave and adjust in order to be labeled as normal. The scope of the discipline extends to a level which takes into account the basic characteristics of human behavior that responds to the denial of basic needs and blocking of motives. The denial of basic needs and the blocking of motives leads to frustrations, conflicts and stresses ending in maladaptive behavior or maladjustment which, in turn, results in behavioral disorders. The subject matter of abnormal psychology should, therefore, include the study of motives, basic needs, adjustment, frustration, conflicts and stresses (Mangal, 2008, p.2). The subject becomes important when the preventive measures of abnormality become easier with the help of the various theories proposed by the subject describing the causes of abnormal behavior. The study unveils ‘the conditions or factors generating maladaptive behavior, the symptoms and syndromes of the various behavioral disorders’ (Mangal, 2008, p.2). The study has a wide scope as it ‘essentially includes the study of abnormalities or disorders such as mental mechanisms (false defense), psycho-neuroses, psychoses, antisocial behavior like psychopathy, delinquency, crime, drug addiction and sexual deviation (Mangal, 2008, p.2). Thus, it is evident that the study of abnormal psychology has ample scope that the modern world gives it due importance. Conclusions The history of abnormal psychology traces the development of the subject through hard times and the in the modern world it has finally attained full growth still assuming the fact that this branch of psychology has still scope for widen its areas. The increasing incidents in drugs, sex, crime have necessitated the more study in abnormalities involved within the minds of the people. After the analysis on the subject of abnormal psychology and its historical perspectives, one is put into the statement that a clear definition of the subject is possible, but it is often put into a confusing state. The historical background of abnormal psychology states that it was in the ancient world too, but the notion of the religions and classics has put it a different criterion. Abnormal psychology was associated with the interplay of demonic powers and so it was considered as a curse in the society. The modern world has given new meaning and definition to abnormal psychology and thereby put it as an important topic in psychology. References Cecilia Essau, A & Petermann, F 1997, Developmental Psychopathology: Epidemiology, Diagnostics and Treatment, Routledge. Mangal, SK 2008, Abnormal Psychology, Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. Psychology-abnormality 2001, Revision express, Pearson Education Limited, viewed 15 December 2011, . Porter, R 2001, Cambridge illustrated history, illustrated, Cambridge University Press. Stratavaganza 2011, Madness a brief history, viewed 15 December 2011, . Swami, A 1952, Mental health and Hindu psychology, Osmaia University Library, viewed 15 December 2011, http://www.estudantedavedanta.net/MENTAL%20HEALTH%20AND%20HINDU%20PSICOLOGY.pdf Sharma, R 2004, Abnormal Psychology, Atlantic Publishers & Dist. Weckowicz, TE & Liebel-Weckowicz, HP 1990, A history of great ideas in abnormal psychology, Elsevier. Read More