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BETWEEN THE LINES
Famous Psych Lines from the Movies: Take 2
“She wore the gloves all the time, so I just thought, maybe she has a thing about dirt.” (Frozen, 2013)
“I just want to be perfect.” (Black Swan, 2010)
“Take baby steps.” (What About Bob? 1991)
“I see dead people.” (The Sixth Sense, 1999)
“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” (Apocalypse Now, 1979)
“I begged you to get some therapy.” (Tootsie, 1982)
A Work in Progress
Since ancient times, people have tried to explain, treat, and study abnormal behavior. By examining the responses of past societies to such behaviors, we can better understand the roots of our present views and treatments. In addition, a look backward helps us appreciate just how far we have come—
At the same time, we must recognize the many problems in abnormal psychology today. The field has yet to agree on one definition of abnormality. It is currently made up of conflicting schools of thought and treatment whose members are often unimpressed by the claims and accomplishments of the others. Clinical practice is carried out by a variety of professionals trained in different ways. And current research methods each have flaws that limit our knowledge and use of clinical information.
As you travel through the topics in this book, keep in mind the field’s current strengths and weaknesses, the progress that has been made, and the journey that lies ahead. Perhaps the most important lesson to be learned from our look at the history of this field is that our current understanding of abnormal behavior represents a work in progress. The clinical field stands at a crossroads, with some of the most important insights, investigations, and changes yet to come.