The ideal self is the person, someone feels they should be and will model their behavior, based upon this image. The real self is the side of your personality that friends and family know well. This creates a conflict in the individual called self-actualization, as the person will attempt to live up to the image of their ideal self. Where, these perceptions will affect the self-image of the individual throughout their life. (Gentile, 2008) Evelyn Hooker

Evelyn Hooker conducted the first scientific experiment on male homosexuality. Where, she would survey both heterosexuals and homosexuals, to determine if homosexuals have trouble adjusting to various social circumstances. The effects of the survey were: homosexuals have no difference in adjusting to social situations in comparison with heterosexuals. As a result, this information would help to provide a research methodology that would be used in the future, to understand homosexual behavior. (Gentile, 2008)

Thomas Szasz

In his views on the Myth of Mental Illness, Szasz believes that terms disease and behavior are often interconnected. Where, he thinks that diseases are a malfunction within human body (such as the organ bones, bones etc.). The behavior that society uses to label someone as mentally ill is often based upon social norms. Where, a person walking down the street talking to God would be considered to have a mental disease, while someone talking to God in church is considered to be normal. These social...

For mental health professionals, they will often use this distinction as way to be able to label someone as mentally ill. While not having to be held to: high standards for treating them, resulting in a misdiagnosis. As a result, Szasz would argue that mental illness is a problem with the living. (Gentile, 2008)
Samuel Guze

Samuel Guze provided a more specific definition of abnormal psychology. Where, he said that the human mind is constantly evolving and changing, based upon the internal as well as external environment. However, when applying the label of abnormal to someone, the definition will vary upon the degree and extent that a person engages in a particular activity. For example, masturbation is considered to be a part of growing up. Yet, if someone is doing it to much it is considered to be abnormal, as they are using this as an escape. (Gentile, 2008)

Clearly, the different ideas presented, highlight how the field has evolved throughout the 20th century. Where, there was an emphasis on scientific methods. Yet, as time went by these ideas would be brought into question, as a holistic approach was taken, in an effort to provide more effective treatment options. The ideas of the different thinkers, highlights how this shift has occurred over the years.

Bibliography

Gentile, B. (2008). Foundation of Psychological Thought. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.