Early views of Mental Illness/ pt.1 Abnormal & Treatment

Question 1

Psychological Disorder

Answer 1

A harmful dysfunction in which thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are maladaptive, unjustifiable, disturbing, and atypical

Question 2

Atypical

Answer 2

• A behavior so different from other people’s behavior that it deviates from the norm
• Norms are the rules established by a culture, of accepted and expected behaviors

Question 3

Disturbing

Answer 3

• A behavior which is interpreted as troublesome to other people.
• How behaviors are interpreted varies with time and culture.
  - Time: 1950’s homosexuality is an illness; now not an illness
  - Culture: Hearing voices in some cultures is gifted because they are able to talk to the dead; western culture you have schizophrenia.

Question 4

Maladaptive

Answer 4

• Destructive and harmful behaviors to oneself or other
• Disabling/Distressing behaviors
• Great increase of suffering or death

Question 5

Rationally Unjustifiable

Answer 5

• Behavior which does not have a rational basis
• Behaviors others can’t explain

Question 6

Early Views of Mental Illness

Answer 6

• In ancient times, mental illness was usually explained through a supernatural model; the person was possessed or a sinner
• During the Middles Ages treatment methods were inhumane and cruel
• Caged like animals
• Performed exorcism
• Trephination- drilling holes into skulls to “release demons”

Question 7

Philippe Pinel

Answer 7

Was a French physician who worked to reform the treatment of people with mental disorders

• Encouraged more humane treatment