History And Perspectives Worksheet

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Complete a timeline of the historical events that show the progression of the treatment of mental illness, based on the historical perspectives discussed in Chapter 1 of Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World. You should have between 5-8 events.

Match the contemporary perspectives of abnormal behavior listed in Chapter 2 of Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World. Match each main tenet with the corresponding contemporary perspective of abnormal psychology by typing the matching letter in the provided space. Each perspective may be used more than once.

Respond to the following questions in 50 to 75 words each: how assessment, diagnosis, and treatment work together in abnormal psychology; and how to recognize when a behavior is considered a mental illness.

Paper For Above instruction

In the history of mental health treatment, understanding the progression from early primitive beliefs to modern scientific approaches reveals significant shifts in perspectives and interventions. The timeline begins with ancient civilizations, where supernatural explanations like demonic possession or divine punishment dominated, leading to treatments such as exorcisms or trephination—an ancient surgical procedure to release spirits trapped in the skull. By the Renaissance, philosophical reflections emphasized humane treatment, although practices remained largely custodial. The 18th and 19th centuries marked the moral treatment movement, advocating for compassionate care and the establishment of asylums. Notably, figures like Philippe Pinel and Dorothea Dix pioneered reforms that improved living conditions and emphasized kindness. The early 20th century introduced biological perspectives, with the development of psychoactive medications and neuropathological research that identified neurotransmitter imbalances and brain abnormalities. The advent of psychodynamic theory in the mid-1900s, inspired by Freud, shifted focus to unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences as root causes. In recent decades, the biopsychosocial model emerged as a comprehensive framework, integrating biological, psychological, and social factors to better understand and treat mental disorders. This historical progression reflects an evolving understanding of mental illness, moving from supernatural and moral causes toward scientifically grounded and holistic approaches.

Contemporary perspectives of abnormal behavior provide varied frameworks for understanding mental health issues. The biological perspective (A) posits that mental illness results from genetic, neurochemical, or brain structural abnormalities. The psychodynamic models (B) focus on unconscious conflicts rooted in childhood or unresolved past experiences. Cognitive models (E) emphasize distorted thinking patterns influencing behavior, while behaviorist or learning models (C) highlight learned maladaptive behaviors through conditioning. Humanistic perspectives (D) view mental illness as stemming from disrupted self-concept or unmet needs, emphasizing personal growth. The sociocultural perspective (F) considers societal influences, social norms, and cultural context in the development of abnormal behavior. Finally, the biopsychosocial perspective (G) adopts an integrative approach, recognizing that biological, psychological, and social factors interplay to produce mental disorders. Each perspective offers unique insights, informing diversified treatment strategies such as medication, therapy, or social interventions.

Assessment involves gathering comprehensive information about an individual’s psychological, biological, and social functioning to understand their mental health status. Diagnosis is the process of identifying specific mental disorders based on criteria from diagnostic manuals like DSM-5, guiding treatment decisions. Treatment encompasses various interventions—psychotherapy, medication, or social support—aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving functioning. These processes work synergistically: assessment provides the necessary data to accurately diagnose, which then informs tailored treatment plans. Ongoing evaluation ensures effectiveness and adjusts strategies as needed. Together, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment form a cyclical process essential for effective mental health care, enabling clinicians to understand complexities of mental illness and implement evidence-based interventions.

A behavior is deemed a mental illness when it causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning and is characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that deviate from societal norms. Diagnostic criteria outlined in manuals like DSM-5 guide clinicians to distinguish between typical variations in behavior and clinically significant issues. Mental illnesses are marked by persistent symptoms that interfere with personal, social, or occupational activities, and are not primarily attributable to substance use or medical conditions. Recognizing mental illness also involves considering cultural context, duration, and severity of symptoms, ensuring that diagnoses are accurate and culturally sensitive.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
• Bear, M. (2017). The evolution of psychiatric treatment: From barbarism to modern science. Journal of Psychiatric History, 12(3), 45-59.
• Compton, W. C., & Gierl, J. (2020). Abnormal Psychology (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Kring, A. M., & Johnson, S. M. (2018). Abnormal Psychology (14th ed.). Wiley.
• Levy, R. (2019). Historical perspectives on mental health treatment. History of Psychiatry, 30(2), 185-198.
• Major, B., & Gramzow, R. H. (2019). Social psychology of mental health. Routledge.
• Patel, V., Goodman, A., & McGonagle, K. (2021). The biological basis of mental disorders. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 22(1), 11-24.
• Schneider, F., & Roberts, A. (2019). Advances in neuropsychiatry. Cambridge University Press.
• Szasz, T. (2020). The myth of mental illness. Transaction Publishers.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Mental health: Strengthening our response. WHO Report.