36.

Explain abnormality. Trace a brief history of how our understanding of psychological disorders has evolved to its current status.

The concept of abnormality can be understood in terms of four D's: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger. That is, psychological disorders are deviant(different, extreme, unusual, even bizarre), distressing (unpleasant and upsetting to the person and to others), dysfunctional (interfering with the person’s ability to carry out daily activities in a constructive way), and possibly dangerous (to the person or to others).

Historical Background:

1. The three perspectives that have recurred in the history of western civilization are:
a) Supernatural: In the ancient times, it was believed that the abnormal behavior is due to the presence of evil in the human, the process of exorcism i.e removal of the evil from the individual by using countermagic or prayers.
b) Organic approach: Belief that individuals behave strangely because their bodies and their brains are not working properly. In the modern era, there is
evidence that body and brain processes have been linked to many types of maladaptive behavior
c) Psychological approach: According to this point of view, psychological problems are caused by inadequacies in the way an individual thinks, feels, or perceives the world.

2. In the Middle Ages, demonology and superstition gained renewed importance in the explanation of abnormal behavior. Demonology related to the belief that people with mental problems were evil.

3. The Renaissance Period was marked by increased humanism and curiosity about behavior. Johann Weyer emphasized psychological conflict and disturbed interpersonal relationships as causes of psychological disorders.

4. The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were known as the Age of Reason and Enlightenment. The growth of a scientific attitude towards psychological disorders in the eighteenth century contributed to the Reform Movement and to increased compassion for people who suffered from these disorders.

5. Deinstitutionalization, which placed emphasis on providing community care for recovered mentally ill individuals.