History shows that signs of mental illness and abnormal behavior were documented as early as the early Greeks, but they were not seen in the same way as they are today . The mentally ill were previously referred to as crazy, insane, or maniacs. WB Maher and BA Maher (1985) note how many of the terms used had their roots in old English words meaning emotionally disturbed, injured, unhealthy, or diseased. Even though the early explanations were not accurate, the characteristics of the mentally ill remained the same and these characteristics are used to this day to diagnose disorders. Cultural norms have always been used to assess and define abnormal behavior. Currently, we have a good understanding of the correlates and influences of mental illness. Although we do not have complete knowledge, psychopathologists have better resources, technology, and overall research skills than in ancient times. Throughout history, explanations for mental illness have been described as supernatural, psychological, and biological. Before the first Greek physicians, the supernatural model of mental illness prevailed. Early humans did not have science to explain natural events, so magic, mysticism, and superstition were used as a substitute. They believed in animism, the idea that all nature is alive, and anthropomorphism, the tendency to project human characteristics onto nature. Reification was also a popular belief that if you can think of something, it exists. Sympathetic magic was the idea that one can heal an individual by influencing an object that is similar or closely associated with them (Frazer, 1890/1963). Primitive healers often imitate the patient's ailments and then model recovery. Reification also led to the beautiful...... middle of paper ...... work published in 1487)Maher, BA, & Maher, WB (1985). Psychopathology: II. From the 18th century to modern times. In G. A. Kimble & K. Schlesinger (Eds.), Topics in the history of psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 295-329). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Maher, BA and Maher, WB (1985). Psychopathology: I. From Antiquity to the 18th century. In G. A. Kimble & K. Schlesinger (Eds.), Topics in the history of psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 251-294). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. McReynolds, P. (1987). Lightner Witmer: little-known founder of clinical psychology. American Psychologist, 42, 849-858Schmied, LA, Steinberg, H., & Sykes, EAB (2006). The debt of psychopharmacology to experimental psychology. History of Psychology, 9, 144-157.Webster, (1995)Weyer, J. (1563). De praestigiis daemonum [The deception of demons]. Basel, Switzerland: Per Joannem Oporinum.