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SAGE Journal User Guide

Article 1: Westerink, H. (2014). Demonic possession and the historical construction of melancholy and hysteria.  History of Psychiatry, 25, (3). 335-349.

[This article explores how religious beliefs of the 16^th and 17^th centuries about demonological possession influenced emerging views on psychopathology in the second half of the 19^th century.]

Questions to Consider:

1. Identify the two main types of demonological possession that are examined in the article.  Discuss their role in the development of modern conceptualizations of melancholia.
2. What role did the two types of demonological possession played in the modern conceptualization of hysteria?
3. Describe and analyze the historical context in which Charcot’s and Freud’s interest in demonology evolved into their theories on psychopathology.

Article 2:  Forstmann, M., Burgmer, P., & Mussweiler, T. (2012). “The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak”: The effects of mind-body dualism on health behavior. Psychological Science, 23, (10). 1239-1245.

[This article presents several empirical studies about beliefs in mind-body dualism and how those beliefs affect heath behaviors in individuals.]

Questions to Consider:

1. Identify the main features of dualistic (mind-body) thinking described in the article. Can you give examples of dualistic thinking from your own life?
2. Discuss how dualistic thinking is presented in small children as described in the article.
3. According to the article, why it is important to study people’s beliefs? Examine the hypothesis presented in the article regarding people’s beliefs and health related behaviors.
4. Briefly discuss the studies’ finding and their implications to real life-problems. Based on the article, what suggestions could be given to promote more healthy behaviors?