Haro G, Castellano M, Pérez-Gálvez B, Rodríguez E, Cervera G, Valderrama JC

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 23-28
PDF size: 155.07 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Impulsiveness can be studied from different approaches. In this revision, divided into two parts, Historical analysis of impulsiveness as expressed in art will be made. Art can be considered as a theatre where human conduct and human thought are represented in a tangible way, throughout time. For that reason, impulsiveness, which existed before scientists started to study it, can be observed throughout art. Due to the importance in considering other aspects apart from the scientific ones, this revision starts with a brief reference to some writers, painters and other artists that through their own impulsiveness and the way in which they expressed it in their works, allow us to understand better the history of this concept. In sculpture it is important to emphasize the Corinthian seal in “Ayax’s Death” and “Judas hanged person” of Gislebertus. In painting we mention some authors as Ticiano, Rubens, Henry Wallis, Benvenutto Cellini, Frida Kahlo or Andy Warhol, and, mainly, Caravaggio. In literature, Greek theatre is emphasized and also recent works those of Eugène Ionesco, Jean Genet or Marius Von Mayemburg, as well as novel writers as Ramón M. Valle-Inclán, Fedor Dostoievski and Juan Carlos Onetti.
Later on we mention those philosophers and thinkers that, until the end of the XIXth century, reflected on the concept of will, mainly from its psychological sense and not from its metaphysical and ethic one, the latter not being important for this revision. Before psychiatry appeared as medical discipline, will was included with sentiments and intellect, as Greek people said, in order to consider it as an autonomous mental function as some Christian-medieval thinkers proposed, and keeping this concept until the XIXth century. This evolution, carried out by philosophers or schools of thought of that period, established the psychological bases of the human will, a fact that later permitted to scientists to understand the process of becoming ill, presenting impulsiveness as medical pathology. The second part of the revision starts with the first definitions of the pathologies of the will described, in which the impulsiveness was included. Authors as Matthey, Heinroth, Esquirol, Billod, Griesinger and Ribot are emphasized.
Finally, a brief historical reminder is done of the first authors that included impulsiveness in their treatises on psychiatry, like Kraepelin and Jaspers. It continues with the first descriptions of the current psychiatric disorders related to impulsiveness, from the descriptions of the first impulsive Personality Disorders to the definitions of Trichotillomania of Hallopeau.
It is desirable to make further studies on impulsivity which consider art and literature’s views and not only and not merely a biopsycho-social model.