Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Historical etiologies refer to the explanations and theories about the causes of psychological disorders that were prevalent in the past. These views were based on cultural beliefs, superstitions, and limited scientific understanding.
Related terms
Demonic Possession: The belief that psychological disorders were caused by evil spirits or demons taking control of a person's mind or body.
Humoral Theory: A theory that explained psychological disorders as imbalances in bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) which affected a person's temperament.
Moral Treatment: An approach to treating mental illness in the 18th and 19th centuries that emphasized compassion, respect, and providing a healthy environment for patients.