PSYABNP:

Introduction to
Abnormal Psychology –
HISTORY

Seann Mansukhani
 Historical Perspective
in Understanding Abnormal Behavior

• What are the views of abnormal behavior from the Stone Age
until the 21st century that influenced the treatment of abnormal
behavior or mental illness?
• From early Greek times up to the 21st century, who were the
prominent figures, who contributed to the biological and
psychological conceptions of mental illness, and their specific
contributions?
• How did these views influence our own conceptions of
abnormal behavior and mental illness in the Philippines, in
urban and rural contexts?
Prominent Themes in Explaining
Psychological Disorders
throughout History
• Classify into distinct themes the
different views of the historical events
concerning abnormal behavior and
mental illness.
 Themes

1. Mystical or supernatural view

- abnormal behavior as the product of possession by
evil or demonic spirits.
2. Scientific approach
- natural causes to explain abnormal behavior such as
biological imbalances, learning processes, or
emotional stressors.
3. Humanitarian approach
- psychological disorders as the result of cruelty, non-
acceptance, or poor living conditions.
 1. Early Greek doctors:
Hippocrates, Galen, Avicenna
2. Trephining
3. Philippe Pinel and
the Moral Treatment
4. St. Vitus’ dance (14th
century); Tarantism
• Psychic Epidemic
• Phenomenon where large
numbers of people engage in
unusual behavior that seems
to be psychological.
5. Emil Kraepelin

• Developed a
Classification
system for mental
disorders
6. Sigmund Freud:
Psychoanalysis
 7. Clifford Beers
and the Mental Hygiene Movement
 Philippines

• 1782: Hospicio de
San Jose
• Confinement of
mentally-ill sailors
• Run by nuns,
custodial care
 Philippines

• November 1904:
Insane Department of
San Lazaro Hospital
National Center
for Mental Health

• 1928: National
Psychopathic Hospital