Historical Perspectives On Abnormality

Robert Fettgather, Ph.D. is an instructor at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, and teachers classes in human growth and development and abnormal psychology.

This short essay considers some of the historical roots of abnormal psychology. The field is a distinct branch of psychology focused on atypical behavioral patterns and uncommon emotions and thoughts that may qualify as mental disorders. The term "abnormal" is not used in a strictly colloquial sense but often refers to a spectrum of clinical standards and definitions. To this end, the Diagnostic Statistical Manual is an invaluable tool for abnormal psychologists. Researchers and clinicians must not forget to augment general statistical analysis with cultural variations in mind, as the standards for normalcy and morality can vary from one community to another. Culture is a function of time and place. Times long ago presented special circumstances for early healers. Abnormal psychology's concept and overarching mission to heal remains today as it once was in ancient times.

Historically, abnormal psychology was preceded by various religious traditions including shamanism that involved rituals such as incantations and exorcisms. Trephining, involving drilling a hole directly into the skull, was utilized as an attempt to promote healing by the early Greeks and the Chinese. The Shamans of indigenous tribes across continents and timeframes, were early healers, perhaps using the power of suggestion as a therapeutic tool. Today it is understood that response expectancies can be powerful influencers on perception of illness and of health.