Mental illness cover

Abnormal Psychology- Putting the Pieces of History Together

  • Jan 1, 1000

    25 BC - 54 AD Attitudes towards mental Illness took a major shift

    25 BC - 54 AD Attitudes towards mental Illness took a major shift
    Earlier in the B.C. Era, Greek and Roman philosophers made advances, along with physicians, in the area of mental illnesses. However, from 25 BC to 54 AD a major shift in the thinking took place. A more spiritual stance was taken. For example, it was believed that angry gods were inhabiting the bodies of the mentally ill. Exorcisms and burning of witches were used to force the evil out of the bodies.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1000 to

    History of Abnormal Psychology in A.D.

  • Jan 1, 1247

    The most famous asylum, the Hospital of St.Mary of Bethlehem, was created in London

    The most famous asylum, the Hospital of St.Mary of Bethlehem, was created in London
    The most famous asylum, the Hospital of St.Mary of Bethlehem was created in London. Originally, it was created as a poorhouse. However, when attitudes toward the mentally ill shifted from humane and caring to inhumane, it was turned into an asylum for "lunatics" in 1403.
  • Salem witch trials took place.

    Salem witch trials took place.
    The Salem witch trials are significant to the history of abnormal psychology because during the 14th and 15th centuries, many people with mental illnesses were simply considered to be witches. They were hunted and killed, without regard for their illnesses.
  • Hypnosis was first developed by Franz Mesmer

    Hypnosis was first developed by Franz Mesmer
    Originally called mesmerism, Franz Mesmer developed what he believed was a cure for mental illness. It was called Hypnotism.
  • Stricter regulations on the treatment of patients in asylums began to be inforced.

    Stricter regulations on the treatment of patients in asylums began to be inforced.
    Vincenzo Chiarugi increased the standards for hygeine, recreation, and work opportunities in his mental hospital in Florence and Italy. Also, Jean-Baptiste Pussin released the patients of the La Bicetre hospital from their shackles, and forbade his staff from beating them. This shows a shift in the attitudes toward the mentally ill.
  • The first mental patients were released from confinement in a movement led by Phillipe Pinel.

     The first mental patients were released from confinement in a movement led by Phillipe Pinel.
    Phillipe Pinel led a movement to establish more human treatment for the mentally ill. He released the first mentally ill patients from confinement.
  • The 1st private mental hospital opened in the United States.

    The 1st private mental hospital opened in the United States.
    The Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason opened in what is now Philadelphia. This facility focused on treating only the mentally ill, and in a humane way.
  • American Psychological Association was formed.

    American Psychological Association was formed.
    The American Psychological Association, now a vital organization in the Abnormal Psychology field, was formed. It initially had 42 members The APA later published the DSM's that are now used to diagnose mental illness.
  • Ivan Pavlov published the first studies on Classical Conditioning.

    Ivan Pavlov published the first studies on Classical Conditioning.
    Pavlovs studies on classical conditioning are most often heard of as "Pavlov's Dogs." He used dogs to test his theories about classical conditioning.
  • The 1st DSM was published.

    The 1st DSM was published.
    The Diagnostical and Statistican Manual of Mental Disorders was published by the American Psychiatric Association. Subsequently, 3 more updated versions of the DSM were published. The DSM is used to determine and diagnosis mental disorders around the world.