By: Arina Tyshekvych 9/25/2022

Medieval
BACKGROUND PSYCHOLOGY
&

Main aspects
SOME • THE WRITINGS OF ARISTOTLE,
ESPECIALLY HIS BOOK ON THE SOUL, AND
FACTS THE THEORY OF THE INNER SENSES,
WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN LATE

ABOUT
ANTIQUITY, ARE TWO MAIN SOURCES
FROM WHICH MEDIEVAL CONCEPTS
Psychologists of the twentieth century do not hold the ABOUT COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY DERIVE.
THE Middle Ages in high regard. The diagnosis of some kind THE DE ANIMA BY ARISTOTLE, WHICH
REQUIRED READING FOR BACHELOR OF
has occasionally been taken further in introductory ARTS DEGREES IN EUROPE UNTIL THE END
PSYCOL literature, with claims that the mentally sick in the Middle
Ages were subject to torture or being burned at the
OF THE MIDDLE AGES, MAY BE THE MOST
WELL-KNOWN PSYCHOLOGICAL WORK
EVER WRITTEN. THE WORK IS BRIEF AND
Often times priests were psychologists
OGISTS
- and were considered to be working
stake because people thought they were under the
influence of evil. The Middle Ages did not have a formal
SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND,
BUT IT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE
in that field.
IN
TREATMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY TOGETHER
psychology discipline, but a number of medieval writers, WITH ARISTOTLE'S THEORIES ON OTHER
particularly those from the thirteenth century, ACADEMIC FIELDS. DUE TO ITS
MIDDLE
Medieval psychology was believed to
- follow a certain religion and had an
highlighted issues that modern psychologists still deal
with today. Additionally, a select few individuals, like
OBSCURITY, SEVERAL MEDIEVAL
ACADEMICS CREATED WORKS OR
COMMENTS OUTLINING WHAT THEY
AGESinscribed theory. Avicenna and Albertus Magnus, appear to have had a
genuine interest in psychological theory. Both the
BELIEVED ARISTOTLE MEANT.

Mostly the issue options to cure a

-
patient were unnecessary and not
effective.
Different thinking was interpreted into
medical and philosophical traditions, which have their
roots in antiquity, are discernible.
• THE COGNITIVE THEORY PRESENTED
HERE PROVIDED A UNIFYING THEME
AMONG MEDIEVAL CONCEPTIONS ABOUT
Later twentieth-century psychology historians found no MENTAL DISEASE, WHICH WERE
evidence to support the notion that the mentally ill were VIRTUALLY AS CONFUSINGLY DIVERSE AS

-
psychology back then, having more
of underestimated measures.
commonly subjected to brutal treatment in the Middle
Ages. However, they generally adopted a more
sympathetic perspective of the time, discovering that
although they appear to have done little to test them
empirically, medieval philosophers, physicians, and even
theologians generated and discussed interesting
theories of human behavior.
OUR OWN. THE COMMON CONSENSUS WAS
THAT THE MIND CONTROLLED A PERSON'S
USUAL WAKING ACTIONS. THIS CONTROL
WAS BROKEN OR CORRUPTED IN INSANE
PEOPLE, AND THEIR BEHAVIOR WAS
THEREAFTER, LIKE AN ANIMAL'S, SOLELY
DICTATED BY THEIR INNER SENSES AND
APPETITES. BECAUSE OF THIS, IN LATER
MEDIEVAL LEGAL THEORY AND PRACTICE
AS WELL AS IN THE WORKS OF
THEOLOGIANS, THE CRAZY WERE NOT
HELD LIABLE FOR THEIR DEEDS.
How did psychology back then impact
the individuals working in this field
nowadays?
Today we perceive this field of studies
differently and so the understanding we
had back then helped us to find out the
real science behind this aspect. Also, it
evolved our science and subjected us to
find further developments throughout
history. It also created an idea where a
certain science is taken to figure out the
truth behind the individuals' symptoms and
their activity, to why their acting a certain
way and what can help.
“Before this period of European history lay the Middle Ages,
often called the Dark Ages, a period where common
perception assumes that demonic possession, witchcraft,
and superstition defined mental illness, and religion
dominated study of the mind. “
- Psychology in the Middle Ages (Part I), by Martyn Shuttleworth
Ice baths, fasting, purging, bleeding, and
chain shackles were all used as treatments.
State, federal, and private hospitals and
asylums were operating; nonetheless, they
were overflowing and understaffed. People
with mental illnesses were given access to
social and individual therapy. Methods that
were usually brutal and unpleasant,
believed to help individuals the most.
WHAT WERE THE
TREATMENTS AND
HOW IT IS DIFFERENT
FROM ONES TODAY?
Nowadays the treatments and
procedures are less harmful and
have an actual science behind
the acts. Also, the equipment that
is used today Is more modern
creating a safer environment than
when taking back then. Lastly, the
individuals had a less effective
way of recovering, vice versa
nowadays it’s a closed deal,
meaning has a set up
understanding behind the healing
process.