Below outlined are the developments that led to the contemporary view of abnormal psychology:
During the nineteenth century, some of the breakthrough scientific advancements and technological discoveries in the field of biosciences provided basis for understanding and treatment of mentally ill individuals. One major biomedical breakthrough came with the discovery of the organic factors that led to syphilis of the brain.
During the early parts of the eighteenth century, knowledge of physiology, neurology, chemistry, anatomy, general medicine and chemistry increased manifold and quickly. These advancements laid foundation to the identification of the biological, or organic, pathology underlying many physical ailments.
The classification and recognition of psychiatry as a special branch by Kraepelin played significant role in the early development of the biological viewpoint. Kraepelin’ s work laid the foundation for establishing the importance of brain pathology in mental disorders and also made similar contribution that helped in reiterating his point of view.
Mesmerism and the Nancy School, alongside the work of Sigmund Freud, were the first major steps towards understanding psychological factors related to the mental diseases. Leveraging his five decades of observation, treatment, and writing, Freud developed a theory, referred to “psychoanalysis” that highlighted the inner dynamics of unconscious motives. Freud’s theory has been modified and revised other clinicians over the last half-century, which led to the evolution of the new psychodynamic perspectives.
During the latter part of the nineteenth century, there was progression in the scientific investigation into matters such as psychological factors and human behavior. The end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century witnessed evolution of experimental psychology into clinical psychology with the emergence of study clinics, alongside intervene in, abnormal behavior.
This development was supported by the work of Pavlov, who researched in the areas of understanding learning and conditioning. Behaviorism emerges as an explanatory model in abnormal psychology. The behavioral perspective is organized around a central theme that learning plays key role in human behavior. Though initially this perspective was developed through research in the laboratory, it is shown to have important consequences for explaining and treating abnormal behavior.
By looking at the history of psychopathology, which comprises of its forward steps and missteps alike, helps in understanding the development of modern theories of abnormal behavior.