The Evolution of Clinical Psychology: Major Shifts That Occured
PS380-2: Discuss the evolution of clinical psychology.
As you explored the history of the field of clinical psychology this week, you also learned more about the way individuals with psychological disorders were treated by society before formal treatment existed. Then you learned about how the field developed and some of the early aspects of diagnosis and treatment. You will discuss these beginnings of the field in this week’s assignment.
In a 2– 3 page desсrіptive timeline, please discuss the evolution of clinical psychology from the time before the field formally began, to the shift toward more humane treatments, and up through the formal beginnings of the field. The information should be supported by scholarly sources and include examples.
Discuss the following aspects in your timeline:
Begin by outlining (with discussion) the time before the shift toward more humane treatment, then progress to the shift toward more humane treatment, and finally to the early formal beginnings of the field. Discuss the following for each of the three time periods:
Conflicts
Historical trends
Early attempts at classifying psychological disorders, through the publication of the first version of the DSM (initial attempts at classifying mental illness overall, early classification of individual psychological conditions, and events that led to the publication of the first DSM).
Early “treatment” (informal attempts at treatment including how society treated those with mental disorders) through the shift toward more humane treatment and treatment during the early days of the field.
The timeline should include support from the textbook and at least one additional scholarly source. ( Clinical Psychology : Andrew M. Pomerantz) https://archive(dot)org/details/andrew-m-pomerantz-clinical-psychology-5th-ed./page/n5/mode/2up
The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
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The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
The field of clinical psychology has seen several vital improvements in the last few centuries. This description will explore the major shifts that have occurred in the field. The exploration will focus on the time before the shift to humane treatment, the shift towards relatively more compassionate care and the early formal beginnings of the field. An understanding of the historical underpinnings of the field provides great insight into the progress made so far.
Period Prior to More Human Treatment Shift
The conflicts during this time mainly came from widespread false beliefs concerning mental illness. These illnesses were mainly labeled as demonic possession. Persons with mental illness were ill-treated, stigmatized and treated in a manner devoid of empathy (Pomerantz, 2019). The historical trends at the time involved practicing divinity. Mental illnesses were often viewed as a form of divine punishment. Early classifications were limited at this time. Most practices were guided by religious beliefs and ancient philosophers.
Shift Toward More Humane Treatment
At this time, the conflict that elicited the shift was the realization of the inhumane practices that had been hitherto practiced. There arose advocates who argued that there must be a better way of handling people with mental illness. The historical trends (19th and 20th centuries) included advocating for therapies to help persons suffering from mental health issues (Hothersall& Lovett, 2022). Instrumental figures who advocated a shift from punishment to therapy-based care include William Tuke. At the time, early classifications involved observing the symptoms and ...