Unlocking History: Understanding Mental Hospitals in the 1900s and Early 20th Century / Activity Analysis

Core Skills Analysis

History

• Gained an understanding of the historical context surrounding mental health treatment in the 1900s, including societal attitudes towards mental illness.
• Learned about the evolution of mental hospitals from asylums to more humane treatment facilities through various reform movements.
• Recognized the impact of medical advancements and their slow integration into psychiatric care during the early 20th century.
• Explored historical figures who influenced mental health care, such as Dorothea Dix and her advocacy for the humane treatment of the mentally ill.

Psychology

• Acquired knowledge about early psychological theories and practices that influenced patient treatment in mental hospitals.
• Studied the transition from non-scientific understandings of mental illness to more evidence-based approaches in psychology.
• Understood the role of public perception and stigma in shaping the experiences of individuals with mental illness during this period.
• Discovered how various therapies were developed and implemented, and their effects on patients' recovery and well-being.

Ethics

• Investigated ethical concerns regarding the treatment of patients in mental hospitals, including rights and consent.
• Analyzed historical instances of abuse and neglect within mental health institutions and their implications on ethical standards today.
• Reflected on the moral responsibility of society to care for the mentally ill and the shifts in ethical practice over time.
• Explored modern ethical frameworks that arose from past injustices in mental health treatment.

Tips

To enhance learning, consider incorporating visits to local historical societies or museums that focus on mental health history. Allow the student to engage with interactive exhibits or guest speakers who specialize in psychology or social history. Encourage them to create a multimedia presentation or a project within Minecraft that simulates a mental health facility, reflecting what they learned and allowing for deeper exploration of historical context, ethical dilemmas, and psychological concepts.

Book Recommendations

• The Madness Exhibit: A Medical History of the Insane in the U.S. by Darwin M. Hargrove: Explores the history of mental health care in America, focusing on treatment efforts and societal attitudes.
• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: A semi-autobiographical novel that delves into mental health struggles, providing insight into the experience of mental illness.
• Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates by Erving Goffman: Analyzes the treatment of individuals in asylums, addressing the societal frameworks that shape mental health care.