Understanding Abnormal Psychology: A Journey Through the Development

Psychology as a subject has become increasingly relevant in various aspects of modern life. It encompasses numerous branches, each with its unique focus. One such major branch is Abnormal Psychology. Let’s explore how this field has evolved and understand the modern concepts associated with it. 

Historical Perspectives on Abnormal Psychology

Prehistoric Perspective 

In prehistoric times, society was often perceived as backward, with people directly associating any unusual behavior patterns with supernatural forces such as ghosts, evil spirits, or magical influences. The prevailing belief was that if a person exhibited troubling behavior and negatively affected others, it was surely due to the presence of a ghost. To avoid such troubles, communities devised various strange methods to address these issues. 

Among these methods was trephination, a particularly dangerous practice in which a hole was drilled into the human skull with a sharp instrument. It was believed that this opening would allow the ghost to escape from the afflicted individual, thereby relieving them of their troubles. 

In addition to the belief in trephination, various cultures have turned to exorcism as a means of addressing unusual behaviors attributed to supernatural forces. Exorcism typically involves a series of rituals aimed at expelling evil spirits or demons from an individual, which may include invoking divine assistance through prayer, using consecrated water as a symbol of purification and protection, and, in some cases, rendering the person unconscious to facilitate the exorcism process. These practices reflect the diverse ways in which different cultures have sought to understand and combat the perceived influence of supernatural forces on mental health. 

The Greco-Roman Shift 

As time progressed into the era of Greek and Roman thought, significant advancements in the understanding of mental illness emerged. Hippocrates, a pivotal figure in this period, rejected the notion that mental disorders were caused by demons or evil spirits. Instead, he proposed that mental illnesses were similar to physical ailments and could be treated effectively. According to Hippocrates, factors such as brain pathology, trauma, and hereditary influences contributed to abnormal behavior. He categorized mental disorders into three main types: melancholia, mania, and phrenitis (brain fever). Additionally, Hippocrates introduced the concept of the four bodily humors—blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm—arguing that the balance of these fluids influenced a person’s health and temperament. An imbalance among these humors was believed to lead to mental disorders, but he reassured that with appropriate treatment, the body’s equilibrium could be restored, allowing for recovery from mental illness. 

The Middle Ages: A Return to Supernatural Beliefs 

As time progressed into the Middle Ages, the influence of the Church began to rise significantly. With the establishment of the Church as an authority, the belief in demonic possession resurfaced, echoing ideas from prehistoric times. This renewed focus on the devil and evil spirits as responsible for abnormal behavior further strengthened the Church’s power. Consequently, rituals such as chanting prayers were once again employed as treatments, and superstitions among the populace continued to grow. The Church’s acceptance of these beliefs reinforced the idea that supernatural forces were at play in the lives of individuals exhibiting unusual behaviors, leading to a resurgence of practices aimed at exorcising these perceived malevolent influences. 

The Dawn of Humanism and Reform 

As the Renaissance marked the era of humanism, many advocates emerged to combat the mistreatment of mentally ill individuals and promote their dignity. One prominent figure was Johann Weyer, who emphasized the importance of treating mental illness with compassion. He argued that mental illness should not be viewed as a demonic affliction but rather as a significant issue that requires understanding and care. Weyer believed that rather than resorting to punishment or exorcism, society should show empathy and provide support to those affected, as these challenges could be resolved through humane treatment.  

Another key figure in this movement was Philippe Pinel, who championed the concept of moral treatment. He advocated for guiding and caring for mentally disturbed individuals with kindness, rather than imposing restrictions or harsh treatments. Pinel’s groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern psychiatric care, earning him recognition for his commitment to patients’ rights and humane treatment. 

Modern Concept of Abnormal Psychology 

Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of unusual patterns of behavior, emotions, and thoughts that may be indicative of mental disorders. It aims to scientifically evaluate, understand, predict, and prevent mental health issues, providing support for those in distress. This field encompasses a wide range of mental health conditions and seeks to improve the quality of care for affected individuals, as demonstrated by early contributions from figures like Philippe Pinel, a French physician who made significant advancements in patient care in 1792. 

There are some major characteristics, known as the 4 D’s, for considering a behavior abnormal: 

1. Deviation from Social Norms: Behaviors that significantly differ from societal expectations may be classified as abnormal. This deviation can vary across cultures and contexts, making the definition of “normal” complex and subjective. For example, consuming toxic substances like drugs is believed to be deviant behavior from societal norms. Most cultures discourage drug use due to its potential harm to individuals and society 

2. Distress: Abnormal behavior often causes significant distress, both for the individual experiencing it and for those around them. This distress can manifest as unpleasant or upsetting feelings, impacting overall well-being. For example, you meet someone very first time and they start talking about how to kill someone or how to commit suicide. This will cause a situation of distress among you two.  

3. Dysfunction: This refers to the impairment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Individuals exhibiting abnormal behavior may struggle to perform daily activities, maintain relationships, or cope with stress. For example, a physically healthy person otherwise, due to any significant loss of a loved one years back, is unable to perform the daily routine function of his life. The loss of a loved one has had a traumatic effect on the person’s mental health. 

4. Danger: Abnormal behavior can pose a risk of harm to oneself or others. This danger may arise from impulsive actions, self-harm, or aggressive tendencies. For example, a person very much disturbed mentally can try to commit suicide every next day or may even try to harm the near ones. 

Other than these 4 D’s, there are some other criteria for determining abnormality in behavior that are essential in psychology and mental health. They help professionals identify and classify behaviors that may indicate mental disorders. Here are the main criteria: 

1. Maladaptiveness 

Maladaptive behavior refers to actions that hinder an individual’s ability to adapt to daily life and achieve personal goals. Such behaviors can interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being. For instance, someone who struggles to maintain a job or personal relationships due to excessive anxiety or substance abuse would be considered maladaptive. 

2. Statistical Deviance 

This criterion assesses how far an individual’s behavior deviates from the statistical norm. Behaviors that are rare in the general population are often labeled as abnormal. 

3. Violation of Social Norms 

This includes actions that are socially unacceptable or violate moral standards. The perception of what is normal can vary widely across different cultures and historical contexts, meaning that behaviors acceptable in one society may be considered abnormal in another. 

4. Social Discomfort 

When an individual’s behavior causes discomfort or unease among others, it may be classified as abnormal. This discomfort can arise from violations of social rules or norms, such as inappropriate public behavior, which can lead to feelings of unease among observers. 

5. Irrationality and Unpredictability 

Behaviors that appear irrational or out of control, such as sudden outbursts or nonsensical actions, can indicate abnormality. These behaviors are often symptomatic of mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, where individuals may act unpredictably or irrationally. 

Classification System for Abnormality

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) are two classification systems commonly used in psychology to categorize mental disorders, along with their associated symptoms and signs. Let’s explore these two classification systems in detail. 

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) 

The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is extensively used in the United States. It has undergone several revisions since its first publication in 1952. The current version, DSM-5-TR, was released in 2022. 

Structure of DSM-5 

Editions of DSM

                                        ICD (International Classification of Diseases) 

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), published by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the major international nosologic system for the classification of mental disorders Originally designed for tracking global health statistics, the ICD also includes mental health disorders. The most recent version is ICD-11, published in 2022. 

Structure of ICD 

Factors Underlying Abnormal Behavior 

There can be many reasons behind mental illness, and it does not come down to one reason alone. There are many factors in a person’s life, including their environment, lifestyle, life events, genetic influences, and their mental health that contributes for the same. Any disturbances in them give rise to abnormal behavior. So, let’s see some reasons in detail.   

• The first reason is the biological reason due to an imbalance between neurotransmitters, the presence of hormonal abnormalities, temperament, presence of brain dysfunction, etc. 

• If we look at the second reason, we can see the psychodynamic perspective, in which the id, ego, and superego are not in harmony. This may be due to earlier childhood experiences and the presence of unconscious conflicts. 

• Another possible reason could be seen from a behavioral perspective, such as through conditioning processes, early deprivation, trauma, poor parenting styles etc. 

• Last but not least is the socio-cultural factor which may include having a low socio-economic status. There may be unemployment, discrimination, and violence.  

Therefore, all these reasons together give rise to abnormal behavior. 

Nandini Jaiswal

Content creator at PsychOnPoint, Nandini is an M.A. student at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, majoring in Psychology. She works with PsyConnect and has a keen interest in psychology. Additionally, she enjoys writing and exploring various facets of human behavior through her academic and creative pursuits.

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