Module
46
Normal Versus Abnormal: Making the Distinction
505
Perspectives on Abnormality:
From Superstition to Science
Throughout much of human history, people linked abnormal behavior to supersti-
tion and witchcraft. Individuals who displayed abnormal behavior were accused
of being possessed by the devil or some sort of demonic god. Authorities felt
justifi ed in “treating” abnormal behavior by attempting to drive out the source of
the problem. This typically involved whipping, immersion in hot water, starvation,
or other forms of torture in which the cure was often worse than the affl iction
(Berrios, 1996).
Contemporary approaches take a more enlightened view. Today, six major per-
spectives are used to understand psychological disorders. These perspectives suggest
not only different causes of abnormal behavior but different treatment approaches as
well. Furthermore, some perspectives are more applicable to specifi c disorders than
are others. Figure 1 summarizes the perspectives and the way in which they can be
applied to the experience of Lily, the person discussed in the chapter prologue.
MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE
When people display the symptoms of tuberculosis, medical professionals can generally
fi nd tubercular bacteria in their body tissue. Similarly, the
medical perspective suggests
that when an individual displays symptoms of abnormal behavior, the fundamental
cause will be found through a physical examination of the individual, which may reveal
a hormonal imbalance, a chemical defi ciency, or a brain injury. Indeed, when we speak
of mental “illness,” “symptoms” of abnormal behavior, and mental “hospitals,” we are
using terminology associated with the medical perspective.
Because many abnormal behaviors have been linked to biological causes, the
medical perspective is a reasonable approach, yet serious criticisms have been leveled
against it. For one thing, no biological cause has been identifi ed for many forms of
abnormal behavior. In addition, some critics have argued that the use of the term
illness implies that people who display abnormal behavior have no responsibility for
their actions (Szasz, 1994, 2006, Laing & Szasz, 2004).
Study Alert
Use Figure 1 to review the six
major perspectives on
abnormality and consider
how they relate to the
major perspectives on
the fi eld of psychology that we
discussed in Chapter 1.
FIGURE 1
In considering Lily’s case discussed in the prologue, we can employ each of the
diff erent perspectives on abnormal behavior. Note, however, that because of the nature of
her psychological disorder, some of the perspectives are more applicable than others.
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