© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Abnormal Psychology, Eighth Edition by Gerald C. Davison and John M. Neale Lecture notes created by Paul J. Wellman, Texas A&M University PowerPoint  Lecture Notes Presentation Chapter 1 Introduction: Historical and Scientific Considerations Ch 1

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Psychopathology Psychopathology examines the nature and development of abnormal –behavior –thoughts –feelings Definitions of abnormality vary widely and may not capture all aspects of psychopathology Ch 1.1

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Defining Abnormal Behavior I Statistical infrequency suggests that rare behaviors are abnormal –Normal curve indicates that behaviors are common while others are rare Common behaviors are at middle of normal curve Rare behaviors fall at the tails of the curve Violation of norms suggests that abnormality is relative to a cultural/societal norm Ch 1.2

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Defining Abnormal Behavior II Personal distress suggests that behaviors that are accompanied by distress are abnormal Disability/dysfunction argues that impairment of life function can be a component of abnormal behavior Unexpectedness asks whether the responses of a person to an environmental stressor are appropriate Ch 1.3

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Early Views of Psychopathology Demonology is the view that abnormal mental function is due the occupation by an evil being of the mind of a person –Treatment requires exorcism Somatogenesis is the view that disturbed body function produces mental abnormality Psychogenesis is the belief that mental disturbance has psychological origins Ch 1.4

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Demonology During the Dark Ages The Dark ages were marked by a decline in Greek and Roman civilizations and by an increase of influence of churches Church authorities came to view witchcraft as an explanation of abnormality –Witches were in the league with the Devil –Torture was required to elicit “confessions” of witchcraft; death by fire was required to drive out supposed demons Ch 1.5

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Asylums Asylums were created in the 15th century for the care/treatment of the mentally ill. –Asylums were meant to be a place of refuge –Care and treatment within an asylum was not always humane or effective Pinel (1793) advocated for humane treatment of patients in asylums –Removed shackles, improved diet, better treatment Ch 1.6

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Modern Approaches to Mental Illness Systems of classification were developed which argued that mental illness has a biological cause –Kraepelin suggested that clusters of symptoms form a syndrome –Each syndrome has its own unique cause, course, symptoms, treatment, and outcome Ch 1.7

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Causation of Mental Illness Physical disorder: general paresis involves paralysis and cognitive changes –General paresis was linked to brain destruction brought on by the infection related to syphilis Psychogenesis is the view that psychological issues can produce mental disorder –Breuer used hypnosis to induce patients to recall their troubled past; some patients experienced mental relief. –Breuer’s technique is the cathartic method Ch 1.8

© 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Davison and Neale: Abnormal Psychology, 8e Scientific Paradigms Paradigms are conceptual frameworks that scientists use to study the world –Paradigms include assumptions about science and methods –Paradigms dictate what will and will not be studied (e.g. few scientists study ESP today) –Paradigms can dictate the methods used by a scientist (introspection versus experimentation) Ch 1.9

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