Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology
Susan Hardin
University of Phoenix
Abnormal Psychology
PSY/410
Krisit Lane, Ph.D.
October 25, 2011
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Historical perspectives of abnormal psychology sounds complicated, mainly due to the differing definitions, or interpretations, of what is considered abnormal. Identifying someone at work or in a social situation who appears to be behaving abnormally is easier to spot than it is to define the term abnormal behavior. No matter what the definition of abnormal the different perspectives each present a theory concerning its cause. This paper will provide a brief overview of the different perspectives and the theories presented by each.
Origins of Psychology Psychology originated as a result of philosophy, going back to the Greeks in the 17th century. Descartes, a French philosopher, established dualism, referring to perspective that the mind and body are two separate units that interact to create what is known as the human experience. Philosophers used such things as observation and logic to study human behavior, both of which can be influenced by the individual philosopher’s perspective. Dualism brought to the forefront the physiology of the human brain, another contributing factor to the development of psychology as a science. Physiologists research conducted on the human brain brought scientific methodologies to the science of human behavior. Wundt, a German physiologist, used scientific methods to gauge reaction times; in this study Wundt highlighted the connections between physiology and human behavior. Wundt formed the first psychology lab, thereby moving psychology forward as a scientific discipline.
Evolution of Abnormal Psychology Examples of abnormal behavior can be traced back to biblical times, and was most often blamed on evil spirits; known as animism. As far back in history as 3000 B.C. skulls that were found with small holes in
Susan Hardin
University of Phoenix
Abnormal Psychology
PSY/410
Krisit Lane, Ph.D.
October 25, 2011
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Historical perspectives of abnormal psychology sounds complicated, mainly due to the differing definitions, or interpretations, of what is considered abnormal. Identifying someone at work or in a social situation who appears to be behaving abnormally is easier to spot than it is to define the term abnormal behavior. No matter what the definition of abnormal the different perspectives each present a theory concerning its cause. This paper will provide a brief overview of the different perspectives and the theories presented by each.
Origins of Psychology Psychology originated as a result of philosophy, going back to the Greeks in the 17th century. Descartes, a French philosopher, established dualism, referring to perspective that the mind and body are two separate units that interact to create what is known as the human experience. Philosophers used such things as observation and logic to study human behavior, both of which can be influenced by the individual philosopher’s perspective. Dualism brought to the forefront the physiology of the human brain, another contributing factor to the development of psychology as a science. Physiologists research conducted on the human brain brought scientific methodologies to the science of human behavior. Wundt, a German physiologist, used scientific methods to gauge reaction times; in this study Wundt highlighted the connections between physiology and human behavior. Wundt formed the first psychology lab, thereby moving psychology forward as a scientific discipline.
Evolution of Abnormal Psychology Examples of abnormal behavior can be traced back to biblical times, and was most often blamed on evil spirits; known as animism. As far back in history as 3000 B.C. skulls that were found with small holes in
References: Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley History of Abnormal Psychology. (n.d.). http://www3.niu.edu/acad/psych/Millis/History/mainsheet.htm History of Psychology (387 BC to Present). (2003). Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/timeline.html