Question 1

What is "mass madness"?

Accepted Answer

"Mass madness" refers to a phenomenon where a group of people exhibit disordered and irrational behavior, often caused by hysteria or a perceived threat. This can be seen in instances such as mass panic during disasters or outbreaks of contagious illnesses.

Question 2

What trend was observed during the Middle Ages in Europe?

Accepted Answer

During the Middle Ages, supernatural explanations for mental disorders grew in popularity, with many believing that mental illness was caused by demons or possession by evil spirits. The treatment of mental illness during this time often involved exorcism or other religious rituals.

Question 3

How did early treatment of mental patients in the United States compare to that offered in Europe?

Accepted Answer

Early treatment of mental patients in the United States was similar to that offered in Europe. In fact, many of the practices used in the United States were modeled after European institutions and methods. The focus was primarily on institutionalization and control of behavior rather than treatment and rehabilitation. It was not until the 20th century that more humane and effective treatment approaches began to emerge in both Europe and the United States.

Question 4

People in the Middle Ages

Accepted Answer

People in the Middle Ages believed that both witches and mentally ill people were possessed by demons, but in different ways. Witches were believed to have made a pact with the devil, while mentally ill people were believed to be victims of demonic possession. As a result, both were subject to harsh treatment and often faced persecution. However, mentally ill people were sometimes seen as being more vulnerable and in need of compassion, whereas witches were seen as actively working against God and therefore deserving of punishment.

Question 5

Johann Weyer, in the early 1500s,

Accepted Answer

Johann Weyer wrote a book called "De praestigiis daemonum et incantationibus ac veneficiis" (On the Tricks of Demons and on Incantations and Witchcraft) in 1563, which argued that many accused witches were actually mentally ill and not possessed by demons. His book was condemned by many in the Church, who believed in the reality of demonic possession and witchcraft.

Question 6

Recent historical reviews of the literature indicate that the typical accused witch in the Middle Ages in Europe was

Accepted Answer

Recent historical reviews of the literature indicate that the typical accused witch in the Middle Ages in Europe was an ill-tempered, impoverished woman. This was due to patriarchal society placing blame on women for societal issues and problems. Mental illness and mental retardation were not commonly understood or recognized in the Middle Ages, and accusations of witchcraft were not typically made against priests.

Question 7

The approaches to treatment of the mentally ill during the Middle Ages in Europe are best characterized as

Accepted Answer

During the Middle Ages in Europe, mental illness was often believed to be caused by supernatural or demonic forces, leading to superstitious approaches to treatment such as exorcisms or torture. Humane, medical, and scientific approaches did not become prevalent until much later in history.

Question 8

Who was one of the first physicians in the early 1500s to criticize the idea that mental illness was due to demon possession (although he did believe the moon influenced the brain)?

Accepted Answer

Paracelsus was one of the first physicians in the early 1500s to criticize the idea that mental illness was due to demon possession, which was a common belief at the time. However, he did believe in the influence of celestial bodies like the moon on the brain.

Question 9

If you visited an asylum in the 16th Century in Europe you would likely find

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you visited an asylum in the...

Question 10

The disorder Koro, where males fear that their genitals have retracted into their body, possibly leading to death, is similar to the episodes of mass madness during the Black Death because

Accepted Answer

Both Koro and the episodes of mass madness during the Black Death were triggered by sociocultural stressors. In the case of Koro, it was cultural taboos surrounding sexuality and fear of loss of masculinity. During the Black Death, fear of a deadly disease and the loss of loved ones triggered mass hysteria. Both demonstrate the effect that sociocultural factors can have on mental functioning of large groups of people.

Question 11

In 1983, a large group of West Bank Palestinian girls showed signs of illness. Some thought they were poisoned, but later it was discovered that psychological factors played a key role in most cases. This incident best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The incident described in the question is a clear example of mass madness, in which a group of people (in this case, West Bank Palestinian girls) demonstrate symptoms of illness or hysteria that are largely influenced by psychosocial factors. It is often an expression of collective stress or anxiety, rather than a result of a physical or environmental cause. St. Vitus's dance is a historical term for a type of mass hysteria in which people would dance uncontrollably; exorcism refers to a religious ceremony to remove supposed possession by evil spirits; and lycanthropy is a rare delusional disorder in which a person believes they can transform into a wolf or other animal. None of these concepts are directly relevant to the scenario described in the question.

Question 12

The emergence of humanism brought about changes in all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The emergence of humanism promoted science and critical thinking, which led to a decrease in superstitious beliefs about demonic possession and an increase in understanding of natural causes of behavior. Thus, an increase in belief in supernatural causes of behavior is not a change that emerged from humanism.

Question 13

The fact that episodes of mass madness peaked at the time of the Black Death illustrates that

Accepted Answer

The peak of episodes of mass madness during the Black Death demonstrates that events that impact society and its structure can also affect mental health. The fear and uncertainty brought on by the plague likely contributed to the widespread anxiety and hysteria.

Question 14

What was the purpose of the early asylums?

Accepted Answer

The early asylums were established to remove those who could not care for themselves from society. They were often seen as places of confinement for individuals who were "insane" or "mad" and were unable to function in society. The purpose was not to provide humane treatment or biological approaches to treatment, but rather to isolate those who were deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Question 15

A common treatment for mental illness during the Middle Ages in Europe was

Accepted Answer

Exorcism was a widely used treatment for mental illness during the Middle Ages in Europe. It was believed that mental illness was caused by demonic possession, and exorcism was seen as the appropriate remedy.

Question 16

During the Middle Ages in Europe, which of the following was most likely to treat mental illness?

Accepted Answer

During the Middle Ages, the treatment of mental illness was primarily in the hands of the Church. Priests and monks were believed to have access to divine influence and were often the first ones consulted to treat patients with mental disorders. They relied on spiritual practices such as prayer, exorcism, and confession to treat various forms of mental illness. Physicians during this time period were more focused on treating physical ailments and had limited knowledge of psychiatry. Scientists and surgeons did not have significant roles in treating mental illness during the Middle Ages.

Question 17

Exorcism is

Accepted Answer

Exorcism is still occasionally practiced today for the treatment of psychological problems, sometimes with fatal results. While it may be considered a religious rite, it is not used in mainstream psychology and is not a recognized treatment for psychological disorders.

Question 18

The early asylums

Accepted Answer

The early asylums, also known as madhouses or hospitals, were initially designed to be warehouses for the mentally ill. Many of these institutions were overcrowded, understaffed, and lacked proper medical care, leading to harsh treatment and neglect of patients.

Question 19

Shackling a patient to a wall with little food or heat would be most typical of

Accepted Answer

The early asylums in Europe were notorious for their cruel treatment of patients, which included shackling them to walls and providing little food or heat. This was done under the belief that mentally ill individuals were dangerous and needed to be restrained for their own safety and the safety of others. While Philippe Pinel is known for advocating for more humane treatment of the mentally ill, and Hippocrates emphasized the importance of treating the whole person and not just their symptoms, neither of these options is associated with the specific form of mistreatment described in the question. Alexandria, Egypt, is not known for any particular historical association with mental health treatment.

Question 20

What is lycanthropy?

Accepted Answer

Lycanthropy is a condition in which people believe themselves to be possessed by wolves. They may act like wolves, and some even believe they physically transform into wolves. It is a form of mental illness and has been recognized by medical professionals for centuries.

Quiz 2: Historical and Contemporary Views of Abnormal Behavior