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Abnormal psychology is the interpretive and scientific study of abnormal thoughts and behavior in order to understand and correct abnormal patterns of functioning. The definition of what constitutes 'abnormal' has varied across time and across cultures, and varies among individuals within cultures. It is often associated with a mental disorder. Abnormal psychology can be described as an area of psychology that studies people who are consistently unable to adapt and function effectively in a variety of conditions. These people can have abnormal psychological and/or behavioral qualities. There are different ways to classify mental disorders. Abnormal behaviors can be adaptive or maladaptive. Maladaptive abnormalities can cause suffering and social discomfort. These behaviors can also be irrational, unpredictable and dangerous. .

History

See the main article: History of mental disorders

Supernatural traditions

Many cultures, such as the Ancient Chinese, Ancient Egyptians, Hebrews, and Ancient Greeks have writings that credit abnormal behavior to causes such as demons or God possessing a person. Early methods of curing such behavior included trepanation and exorcism. In trepanation a hole was surgically drilled into a person's skull to release the bad spirit. Exorcism was a method to cure people, which used techniques such as prayer, noise-making, and various potions..

Asylums

Around the sixteenth century, mental asylums became more popular for people with abnormal behavior. They were supposed to be hospitals for those who could not take care of themselves. However most asylums were known to be cruel, dirty, and abusive. It was not until the late 18th century when Philippe Pinel began to advocate for better treatment of the mentally insane. At the same time, in England, William Tuke created a peaceful religious retreat for mental patients, where they can live, work, and rest..

Continuing institutionalization

In the 1800's Dorothea Dix was a popular advocate against the poor conditions in mental asylum. She started a mental hygiene movement in the United States. People became more aware of the conditions in asylums and raised money to help improve them. She helped create 32 mental hospitals, leading to many more people getting treated. By 1940 there were more than 400,000 patients in public mental hospitals. Although there were many patients, treatments still needed to be improved. Treatments were still inhumane and not effective, while the hospitals were becoming overcrowded. “The Snake Pit", an infulential book and movie, was written by Mary Jane Ward in 1946. “The Snake Pit" was about the inhumane treatment of mental hospital patients and led to a rise in awareness and concern of these conditions. That same year the National Institute of Mental Health was also created. It provided support for the training hospital employees and research patient's conditions. The Hill-Burton Acts was also passed which was a program that funded mental health hospitals. A long with the Community Health Services Act of 1963 helped with the creation of outpatient psychiatric clients, in patient general hospitals, in addition to rehabilitation and community consultation centers..

Deinstitutionalisation

Towards the late 20th century mental hospitals were looked down upon. Overpopulation and the lack of funding caused many mental hospitals to close. This was occuring not only in the United States, but all over the world. This movement to close down these mental hospitals became known as deinstitutionalization. Deinstitutionalization was supposed to help these patients become better adapted members of society with the help of support programs and communities. However, many patients have struggled to adapt and feel abandoned. Others have become homeless making a healthy life even harder to adjust to..

Explaining abnormal behavior

Historically there have been three approaches to abnormal behavior: supernatural, biological, and psychological. In modern times, mental disorders are explained biologically or psychologically. The biological explanation is based on genetics and neurochemistry. The psychological explanation is based on how the mind works and resulting behavior.

Supernatural explanations

Early writings from different cultures suggest they believed that abnormal behavior stemmed from demons, possessive spirits, and astronomy. Trepanation was another method in which the evil spirits were cut out or released through a hole made in the skull of the sick individual. Some cultures believed in the practice of exorcism to free these spirits. Throughout the Middle Ages people with abnormalities were characterized more by superstition and religious ritual than by truly understanding their condition. Many were suspected of witchcraft, and once accused they were always found guilty. Episodes of mass hysteria would scare large populations into believing they were affected by various (often ridiculous) diseases. .

Biological explanations

Assuming that all psychological disorders are diseases, biological explanations are based on the idea that all abnormal behavior can be explained by medical factors. Hippocrates, who lived in the 5th century, was often referred to as the father of modern medicine. He denied evil spirits and astronomy as the causes of mental disorders. He believed that there were natural causes to mental disorders and appropriate treatments. Hippocrates focused on the four humors of the brain and the balance of them in his patients. Depending on which humors were more dominant, Hippocrates would prescribe preferred lifestyles to his patients.. Although Hippocrates was far from a modern day physician, his focus on mental processes and clinical observation was truly revolutionary. Galen, another Greek physician, took a scientific approach dividing the causes of psychological disorders into physical and mental categories. Among Galen's causes were injuries to the head, alcohol abuse, and critical life experiences. Galen's work became a strong influence for medical thought well into the 18th century. This medical thought focused on biological causes for mental disorders..

Psychological explanations

Psychological explanations for abnormal behavior take a behavioral approach in which the positive behaviors are reinforced and negative ones are not. This approach is more focused on changing the actual behavior of a person than the true cause of it. Sigmund Freud was one of the most popular psychological theorists of the 20th century. The method he used to study and treat patients was known as psychoanalysis. Methods of hypnosis by were used by Freud, but also by Franz Mesmer and physicians in the Nancy School. However Freud attempted to have his patients confess their deep, true emotions which was referred to as a catharsis. He would have his patients speak freely about themselves, in free association. Also he would conduct dream analysis where patients would record and discuss their dreams. Freud's work led to other great psychoanalytic theorists such as Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Harry Stack Sullivan. Wilhelm Wundt and William James were credited for opening up the first experimental psychology laboratories. This led to many studies and psychological methods such as classical conditioning led by Ivan Pavlov and John B. Skinner. Edward Thorndike and B. F. Skinner were the leaders of the study of operant conditioning..