Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary belief system regarding illness in prehistoric societies?
What was the primary belief system regarding illness in prehistoric societies?
- Demonic possession and sorcery (correct)
- Genetic predisposition
- Psychological factors alone
- Natural causes such as bacteria or viruses
Which surgical method was used by Stone Age cave dwellers to treat mental disorders?
Which surgical method was used by Stone Age cave dwellers to treat mental disorders?
- Lobotomy
- Trephining (correct)
- Cauterization
- Craniotomy
What was a common treatment method for mental illness in ancient cultures aside from trephining?
What was a common treatment method for mental illness in ancient cultures aside from trephining?
- Medication and therapy
- Exorcism (correct)
- Dietary changes
- Physical exercise
Who is considered the father of Western medicine for his rational explanations of mental disorders?
Who is considered the father of Western medicine for his rational explanations of mental disorders?
Which of the following did not contribute to illness explanations in prehistoric societies?
Which of the following did not contribute to illness explanations in prehistoric societies?
What was the presumed outcome hoped for through the practice of trephining?
What was the presumed outcome hoped for through the practice of trephining?
What aspect of demonic belief did prehistoric societies emphasize regarding those who exhibited symptoms?
What aspect of demonic belief did prehistoric societies emphasize regarding those who exhibited symptoms?
In what way did early Greek thinkers differ from prehistoric beliefs about mental disorders?
In what way did early Greek thinkers differ from prehistoric beliefs about mental disorders?
What was the societal attitude towards mental health treatment after Hippocrates' humane advocacy?
What was the societal attitude towards mental health treatment after Hippocrates' humane advocacy?
What is tarantism primarily characterized by?
What is tarantism primarily characterized by?
What was the role of the Catholic Church during the witch hunts of the 15th and 16th centuries?
What was the role of the Catholic Church during the witch hunts of the 15th and 16th centuries?
How many people were estimated to have been executed as witches from the 15th to the 17th century?
How many people were estimated to have been executed as witches from the 15th to the 17th century?
Which significant event was triggered by Martin Luther's criticism of the Catholic Church?
Which significant event was triggered by Martin Luther's criticism of the Catholic Church?
What did Pope Innocent VIII's decree in 1484 call for?
What did Pope Innocent VIII's decree in 1484 call for?
Which group was most likely to be suspected of witchcraft during the witch hunts?
Which group was most likely to be suspected of witchcraft during the witch hunts?
What effect did mass madness or group hysteria have on populations in the 13th century?
What effect did mass madness or group hysteria have on populations in the 13th century?
What factor did Hippocrates believe was primarily responsible for deviant behavior?
What factor did Hippocrates believe was primarily responsible for deviant behavior?
Which of the following categories did Hippocrates use to classify mental illnesses?
Which of the following categories did Hippocrates use to classify mental illnesses?
What treatment method did Hippocrates recommend for melancholia?
What treatment method did Hippocrates recommend for melancholia?
During the Middle Ages, what became a renewed emphasis in explaining illness?
During the Middle Ages, what became a renewed emphasis in explaining illness?
What led to the belief that individuals were guilty of wrongdoing when they fell ill during the Middle Ages?
What led to the belief that individuals were guilty of wrongdoing when they fell ill during the Middle Ages?
Which philosopher is mentioned alongside Hippocrates as contributing to the organic explanation of behavior?
Which philosopher is mentioned alongside Hippocrates as contributing to the organic explanation of behavior?
What was the societal perspective on illness during the Middle Ages, particularly regarding its cause?
What was the societal perspective on illness during the Middle Ages, particularly regarding its cause?
What misconception did many people hold about those who fell ill during the Middle Ages?
What misconception did many people hold about those who fell ill during the Middle Ages?
What does the biological viewpoint suggest about mental disorders?
What does the biological viewpoint suggest about mental disorders?
Who was a prominent figure advocating for the biological viewpoint in the 19th century?
Who was a prominent figure advocating for the biological viewpoint in the 19th century?
What did Emil Kraepelin contribute to the field of psychology?
What did Emil Kraepelin contribute to the field of psychology?
Which of the following best describes the psychological viewpoint on mental disorders?
Which of the following best describes the psychological viewpoint on mental disorders?
What did Kraepelin observe about symptoms of mental disorders?
What did Kraepelin observe about symptoms of mental disorders?
How did the biological viewpoint influence the classification of mental illnesses?
How did the biological viewpoint influence the classification of mental illnesses?
What is a common misconception regarding the causes of mental illness?
What is a common misconception regarding the causes of mental illness?
Which statement about mental disorders is most accurate?
Which statement about mental disorders is most accurate?
What emotional states can result from personal challenges or interpersonal conflicts?
What emotional states can result from personal challenges or interpersonal conflicts?
What technique did Friedrich Anton Mesmer develop as a treatment for hysteria?
What technique did Friedrich Anton Mesmer develop as a treatment for hysteria?
Which process describes the release of emotional conflicts through verbal expression?
Which process describes the release of emotional conflicts through verbal expression?
Josef Breuer's observations led to the development of what major psychological technique?
Josef Breuer's observations led to the development of what major psychological technique?
What did Mesmer claim was responsible for causing physical problems in individuals?
What did Mesmer claim was responsible for causing physical problems in individuals?
What did the behavioristic perspective emphasize in psychology?
What did the behavioristic perspective emphasize in psychology?
Sigmund Freud built upon which of Breuer's techniques in his own practice?
Sigmund Freud built upon which of Breuer's techniques in his own practice?
What was a key outcome of using hypnosis according to Breuer's observations?
What was a key outcome of using hypnosis according to Breuer's observations?
Study Notes
Historical Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior
- Prehistoric societies viewed mental and physical disorders similarly, attributing illnesses to demonic possession or sorcery.
- Demonology led to beliefs that individuals were responsible for their misfortunes, with symptoms being linked to evil spirits.
- Trephining, a surgical method of removing part of the skull, was practiced to expel evil spirits and restore normal behavior; some individuals survived this procedure.
Treatment Methods in Early Cultures
- Exorcism involved elaborate rituals to cast out evil spirits, including prayers, flogging, and emetics.
- Ancient Greeks, Chinese, Hebrews, and Egyptians utilized exorcism as a common treatment method.
Greco-Roman Thought and Early Naturalistic Explanations
- Hippocrates (460–370 B.C.) proposed rational explanations for mental disorders, emphasizing brain pathology and environmental influences.
- He categorized mental illnesses into mania, melancholia, and phrenitis, providing detailed clinical descriptions of disorders.
- Treatments suggested by Hippocrates included tranquility, moderate exercise, diet management, and bloodletting.
Middle Ages and Supernatural Beliefs
- The collapse of the Roman Empire shifted perspectives towards supernatural explanations, viewing mental illness as punishment from God.
- The humane treatment of individuals was replaced by brutal exorcisms due to the belief in divine retribution.
- Mass hysteria events, such as tarantism, emerged, characterized by unusual symptoms without physical causes.
Witchcraft and the Age of Inquisition
- The 15th to 17th centuries saw increased witch hunts, with over 100,000 executions of suspected witches, predominantly women.
- The Protestant Reformation challenged the Catholic Church but simultaneously reinforced beliefs in demonic possession.
Early Viewpoints on Causes of Mental Illness
- Two main schools of thought emerged: the biological viewpoint, asserting physiological bases for mental disorders, and the psychological viewpoint, emphasizing emotional factors.
Biological Viewpoint and 19th Century Psychiatry
- Wilhelm Griesinger posited that all mental disorders arose from physiological causes.
- Emil Kraepelin classified mental illnesses into symptom clusters known as syndromes, laying the groundwork for modern diagnostic criteria in the DSM.
Psychological Viewpoint and Emotional Factors
- Some emotional disorders lacked clear biological causes, leading to the belief that personal challenges and conflicts could deteriorate mental health.
- Hypnotism and psychological interventions were found effective in treating conditions like hysteria.
Mesmerism and Early Hypnosis
- Friedrich Anton Mesmer introduced “animal magnetism,” suggesting disruptions in body magnetic forces led to physical problems; this evolved into hypnotism.
- Josef Breuer used hypnosis to facilitate patient recollection of traumatic experiences, leading to symptom relief through catharsis, influencing Freud's later work on psycho-analysis.
Behaviorism
- The behavioristic perspective focused on observable behaviors and how various conditions can evoke, reinforce, or extinguish them as a treatment framework for mental disorders.
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Description
Test your understanding of the historical background of abnormal psychology in this midterm quiz for the 1st semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Explore prehistoric to ancient beliefs related to abnormal behavior and their impact on modern psychology. Prepare to delve into significant historical perspectives and their relevance today.
