general

Abnormal Behavior There are many different ways to define abnormal behavior. We will work from the definition of "behaviors and/or thoughts that are harmful to yourself or to others". What is the cause of abnormal behavior? That is not an easy question to answer. By today's standards (and to some extent depending on the disorder), we would say that it is a combination of both nature and nurture. Some would say it is because of traumatic events, some say it is because of learning, others would say it is inherited . . . what is not commonly heard anymore in response to this question is demons, evil spirits, witchcraft, possession, or an unbalance in the essential fluids (humors) in the body. In the past, these were all accepted rationale and were considered reasonable causes. As a result, people who were suffering from psychopathology were not treated very well. The past of abnormal behavior was governed by a discontinuity hypothesis. The discontinuity hypothesis pigeonholed everyone as either normal or abnormal. According to the discontinuity hypothesis, people suffering from psychopathology were odd, strange, crazy, nuts . . . less than human in the eyes of people who were "normal". If you were considered abnormal, you were to be kept away from the "normals" for fear that you may contaminate or harm them. So called cures and treatments for the disorders were so severe and terrible, that one would most likely prefer death. Thankfully, by today's standards, abnormal behavior is governed by a continuity hypothesis. According to the continuity hypothesis, no one is completely normal and no one is completely abnormal. The difference between what is considered abnormal and what is considered normal is just a matter of degrees. For instance, washing your hands is a normal, even encouraged, behavior. However, if one washes one's hands 50,000 times a day--we are approaching, if not crossing, an abnormal threshold. Today, we do not isolate ourselves