Examination of Clinical Psychology

Examination of Clinical Psychology

PSY/480
September 23, 2013
Amy McCall

Examination of Clinical Psychology
History of Clinical Psychology
Early conceptions of psychology derived from the Greeks. The ancient Greek way of understanding disease transported thought outside the control of the Gods and toward social, biological and psychological effects exchanged between the mind and body (Plante, 2011, p. 33). Aristotle, Hippocrates, Plato, and Aristotle each believed that the "spirit or soul as being in charge of the body and that problems residing in the soul could result in physical illness" (Mora, 1985), (Book Plante, 2011, p. 34). A Greek physician by the name of Galen (A.D. 130–200) was the creator of “a holistic program of medical practice that became the foundation of medicine in Europe for 1,000 years (Maher & Maher, 1985a; Mora, 1985)” (Plante, 2011). Galens beliefs and works were developed from the combined views and workings drawn from the likes of Plato and other great thinkers of that time as the framework for program. Similar to Hippocrates, Galen “used the humoral theory of balance between the four bodily fluids discussed previously as a foundation for treatments.” (Plante, 2011). According to Plante, “Unlike Plato, Galen felt that the soul was the slave and not the master of the body, and that wishes of the soul in the body resulted in health and illness.” (Plante, 2011). The reek methodology linking the body and mind to disease is most certainly rooted in the foundation and evolution of psychology as a profession of science.
The Middle Ages was a time period crippled by disease caused from both physical and mental conditions, war, separation of church and the Black Plague. Treatment for conditions regarding mental health was treated spiritually. The people of that time believed that these illnesses were “spiritual matters such as the influence of demons, witches, and sin.” (Plante, 2011).
The Renaissance era was the re-emergence of methodical examination. It is during this time when supernatural and religious viewpoints began to falter in regard treatment to understanding, healing belief and practice of mental health. “The emphasis on scientific observation and experimentation rather than reason, mythology, religious beliefs, and dogma provided a model for future research and teaching.” (Plante, 2011, p. 36). The nineteenth century, began the birth of more coherent of the connection attributed to the mental and physical functioning. This particular time period gave way to a ground breaking revelation that mental disease could be attributed to physical disease (Plante, 2011). “The nineteenth-century discovery that germs or microorganisms can cause disease, along with the twentieth-century advances in medical, genetic, and technological discoveries, have continued to support the ‘‘Cartesian dualism’’perspective of Descartes in the seventeenth century.” (Plante, 2011, p. 36). Psychology was (figuratively speaking) birthed into existence in Germany in 1879 by Wilhelm Wundt when he introduced the first laboratory. In 1883 G. Stanley Hall introduced the second laboratory of psychology. Shortly thereafter, in 1892, the American
Psychological Association (APA) was established and the association’s first elected president was G. Stanley Hall. During this time psychological study was intended to gather scientific evidence and understanding. There was no real effort to afford treatment to individuals suffering from mental illness. “The desire to apply these newly developed methods and principles of psychology to people in need was soon to result in the birth of clinical psychology (Maher & Maher, 1985b).” (Plante, 2011, p. 38). The nineteenth century brought about many great thinkers and scientific evidence that promoted further scientific study into the human mind and behavior.
In order for evolution there must be creation. The creation of clinical psychology as a proper recognizable field emerged in the form of Lightner Witmer (undergraduate alumni of University of Pennsylvania), who opened the first psychological clinic in 1896 located at the University of Pennsylvania (Plante, 2011, pg. 38). Although Witmer was the father of clinical psychology it was “a variety of other people and events further molded clinical psychology into its current form.” (Plante, 2011, pg. 40). Article Wrote: “Before World War II, clinical psychology was a small field. However, even before 1945, the repertoire of clinical psychologists in the area of mental testing expanded greatly, establishing its pattern for the remainder of the century.” (Article). After World War II that clinical psychology was able to fully expand into the National Health Care system (Article).
The Role of Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology Research within all aspects of psychology is essential. The role of research in clinical psychology is to provide reliable data and evidence that may give further insight to questions that science have yet to answer. “Research provides helpful answers to important questions about human nature and ways to improve the quality of life for many.” (Plante, 2011, pg.105). Although daunting it is an essential objective is for cases/issues and statistics be accurately researched. In doing so researchers should provide information that can be interpreted in practice. The role of statistics in clinical psychology is to gain further knowledge and prospective about the individual mind and behavior. Statics are also a guide for researchers to gain significant data that may or may not be applicable to certain demographics. In gather research and incorporating statistical data allow for not a deeper knowledge base but the skills needed for critical thinking capable evolving future minds in the field of clinical psychology.

Clinical Psychology as it Differs from Other Disciplines
The differences that may separate clinical psychology and other disciplines starts with education level, degree level, training, and area of focus. Many counseling psychology’s can work under the umbrella of clinical psychology. Psychiatrists have higher degree requirements as well as more training, and higher pay. Psychiatrists are authorized to prescribe medication without having to receive authorization (Plante, 2011). Social workers and psychologists usually have a master's degree and typically provide support to clients in clinical environment, which may include: schools, special education, medical facilities, and private practice (Plante, 2011). The field of clinical psychology is to find understanding and meaning in to the why and why not’s of mankind and to provide support to those who are in need. Because of that very reason of further understanding and fulfillment that researchers will continue to study and uncover groundbreaking information about the human mind.
The following paper had four purposes. The first of which aimed to provide a brief history of the history of clinical Psychology. The second purpose was to explain the evolving nature of clinical psychology. Purpose three was to explain the role of research and statistics in clinical psychology. Lastly, purpose four was to determine the differences between clinical psychology and other disciplines. I have that this paper has succeeded in fulfilling such purpose.

Reference
Plante, T. G. (2011). Cotemporary Clinical Psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc2011.
History of Clinical Psychology. (2004). In The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/wileypsych/history_of_clinical_psychology