Page "Abnormal psychology" Paragraph 11

A more formalized response to spiritual beliefs about abnormality is the practice of exorcism.

Performed by religious authorities, exorcism is thought of as another way to release evil spirits who cause pathological behavior within the person.

In some instances, individuals exhibiting unusual thoughts or behaviors have been exiled from society or worse.

Perceived witchcraft, for example, has been punished by death.

Two Catholic Inquisitors wrote the Malleus Maleficarum ( Latin for ' The Hammer Against Witches '), that was used by many Inquisitors and witch-hunters.

It contained an early taxonomy of perceived deviant behavior and proposed guidelines for prosecuting deviant individuals.