This paper will analyze the contemporary and the historic points concerning abnormal behavior, and psychopathology. In doing so I will reveal the origins of abnormal psychology and how over time it has evolved into a scientific discipline. Further I will briefly discuss the theoretical viewpoints and interpretations of the biological, psychosocial, and the socio-cultural factors. The Origins of Abnormal Psychology. Abnormal psychology is the in-depth study of all humans that cannot develop and function under normal circumstances.
What causes abnormal behaviors in individuals, it varies form: genetics, physical conditioning, social interactions, learning, and reasoning (Butcher, 2010). The origins of abnormal behavior dates back well over a half million years ago and was practiced by Stone Age cave dwellers, who recognized that there was something transpiring in the brain of those individuals who complained of severe headaches, and oftentimes experienced convulsive attacks. The treatment that the Shaman or the medicine man that practice was known as “trephining.
” This consisted of using a crude stone instrument that would chip away at parts of the skull forming a circular hole that would allow the evil spirit which was considered to be the cause of the trouble to escape (Butcher, 2010). These primitive beings could came up with such cleaver devises, shows the advancement of man, and his natural ability to develop. One would think that it was a lack of technology and scientific research made the individuals unaware of the chemical imbalance of an individual’s brain.
This would further increase their religious belief, as people believed that abnormal behavior was the result of these three factors: spiritual, psychological, and biological (Strongman, 1987). Abnormal Psychology Evolves Abnormal psychology has shown itself as an improper brain function, which has led a more humane treatment of the disorder, and in-depth research. Hippocrates, who was a Greek physician, that developed his own theory of abnormal behaviors. Hippocrates became known as the father of modern medicine, received his training and was responsible for making substantial contributions to psychology (Butcher, 2010).
Hippocrates was more advanced in his trainings did not believe that abnormal behaviors were not caused by demons or anything spiritual; he believed that the disorder was a result of natural causes (Butcher, 2010). His work has continued on by Greek and Roman physicians whose medical practices developed to a much higher level. As a result of these developments pleasant surroundings were created to support these therapeutic values. The mental patients had parties, dances, walks in the temple gardens, rowing along the Nile, and musical concerts (Butcher, 2010).
In this type of environment people who were suffering with abnormal behaviors could feel more accepted by society and not labeled or made to feel like an outcast in society. This is why the role taken by the therapist is clearly defined and important into the care and well being of his or her patient. The therapist must find meaningful ways to connect with his or her patient, as the patient will feel more at ease, and gain a sense of safety when he or she enters therapy. As time progressed inhumane treatment became the order of the day for individuals experiencing abnormal behaviors.
From the 16 century on, special institutions emerged and were known as Asylums, sanctuaries, or places of refuge grew in large numbers. Even though scientific inquiry into the development of abnormal behaviors was on the increase the asylums were often referred to as “mad houses,” were not pleasant places or hospitals, but in fact they were primarily residences or storage places for the insane (Butcher, 2010). The individuals who were housed in these places, experienced cruel practices, and many of the residents lived and died amid conditions of horrible filth and cruelty.
Imagine an individual who is sick, treated as he or she is less than nothing. This type of treatment does not create an environment for him or her to regain health. The average individual would experience a sense of inadequate and he or she would suffer greater bouts of depression. He or she would also suffer from low self-esteem and self worthlessness and would give up on any chance to survive. The views and treatment of people with abnormal behaviors and mental disorders has changed drastically today. People are treated with care and respect.
The views and treatment of people with abnormal behavior and mental disorders has changed drastically over the years. Because of the numerous advances in research and technology that’s available today, psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist will be able to apply these techniques to help with the assessments and treatments for individuals experiencing abnormal behaviors and mental disorders. These advances that have helped usher in what is known today as, scientific, or experimentally oriented, views of abnormal behavior as well as the application of scientific knowledge of the treatment of disturbed individuals (Butcher, 2010).
As a result of all of the research that has been conducted, there emerged three models which were widely used to assess and treat abnormal behavior that are, biological, psychosocial, and the socio-cultural models. Theoretical Viewpoints and Interpretations of the Biological, Psychosocial, and Socio-cultural Models. These three models: biological, psychosocial, and socio-cultural working together, have proven to be most effective as they help to bring change to the individual who is dealing with abnormal behaviors.
As a clinician, he or she must present an intervention or treatment plan that will incorporate one of these models, to assist the client reach his or her goal in the healing process. The biological concept views mental health as a disease with the following symptoms emotional, behavioral, and cognitive. As a result of these symptoms the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the autonomic nervous system will be affected. The four factors that are relevant with the development of maladaptive behaviors.
The first factor is the neurotransmitter and hormonal abnormalities within the central nervous system. The second factor is genetic vulnerabilities. The third factor is temperament. Finally the fourth factor is brain dysfunction and neural plasticity. According to Butcher, there have been several developments in the treatment process with medications, to assist in the treatment process of patients with mental disorders as they are coupled with therapy (2010). The psycho-social concept goes several steps further than the biological concept when addressing abnormal behaviors in persons with mental disorders.
The psycho-social interprets individuals not only as being human; it sees them as people with desires, motives, thoughts, and perceptions. The three major psychosocial perspectives on human nature are, behaviors, which are psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive behavioral. Even though these three have been highlighted we, cannot dismiss the latter two, which are the humanistic perspective as well as the existential perspective. Within the psycho-social concept as it relates to abnormal behaviors which several disorders and conditions can be addressed that are, anxiety, the unconscious, and the defense mechanism.
Due to the works of the early psychologist like, Sigmund Freud, and Erik Erikson who, developed a variety of theories that help to evaluate, study, and treat these disorders. Freud developed the psychosexual stage that states, sexual aggressive drives are an inborn part of human nature, Erikson who developed the eight stages of development that centers on learning basic trust or basic mistrust, which may lead to a healthy or an unhealthy outcome (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
The socio-cultural concept considers the implication of one’s culture and the specific, dynamics of the individual’s social environment as they relate to his or her mental disorders. The clinician investigates the client’s history, he or she will find that the major contributor to the individual’s personality development lies within his or her network. These contributors are social groups, family members, values, morale’s, and beliefs. The socio-cultural factors that have a major influence on the development process of an individual is mental disorders are, unemployment and low socioeconomic status, prejudice and discrimination, in race, gender, and ethnicity, social change and uncertainty, urban stressors like violence and homelessness (Butcher, 2010).
The beast way to understand how these three models interact in helping the individual to develop is found in a short example. A young girl parents get divorced. As a result of the divorce, the girl is suffering from bouts of depression and anxiety, she is withdrawn, she does not connect with her friends, and she is acting out in school.
The biological concept states that her depression and anxiety are a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain and therefore medication would be the recommended treatment. The psycho-social concept would argue that her being withdrawn, depressed, and full of anxiety, is a result of the divorce, and she is acting out in school because she believes her parents’ divorce was her fault. Finally you have the socio-cultural concept that would suggest that the girl’s behavior is due to the pressure of society that frowns on divorce and the effect it has on the family.
She will engage in relationships that will not have a lasting effect, and eventually she will get married and her marriage will end in divorce as well. Conculsion In conclusion we have found that abnormal behaviors have been in existence for more than a half a million centuries, and have evolved over the course of time into a scientific discipline. Abnormal behaviors have a variety of models that can be used for the assessment and treatment of individuals with mental disorders.
Through the theoretical viewpoints and interpretations of the: behavioral, psychosocial, and the socio-cultural factors that will help an individual with abnormal behaviors move forward in his or her quest to develop into a healthy individual.
References Butcher, J. , Mineka, S. , & Hooley, J. , (2010). Abnormal Psychology (14th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. Cervone, D. , & Pervin, L. A. , (2010). Personality: Theory and Research (11th ed. ). Hoben, NJ: Wiley. Strongman, K. T. , (1987). The Psychology of Emotion (3rd. ed. ). New York: John Wiley & Sons.