Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1993

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Anthropology

Major Professor

Michael Logan

Committee Members

Benita J. Howell, Faye Harrison

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to nuUw a comparative assessment of Brazilian spiritual healing and Western psychology. Many researchers feel that new discoveries in neuroendocrinology and other phenomena, such as biofeedback and Eastern meditative techniques, are forcing us to reassess the complex activities of traditional shamanistic healers in order to gain a better understanding of their successes and failures. Some researchers suggest that the exceptional emotional responses associated with faith, suggestion, prayer and the so-called placebo effect, as currently found in traditional healing milieus, may greatly accelerate the speed and concentration of the body's reparative biochemicals in ways that are presently not adequately understood by Western science and medicine. The present research examines many forms of spiritual healing around the world from Africa to Mexico and Brazil, including faith healing in the United States. However, the principal focus is on Brazilian spiritual healers. Their approach is compared to the approach of Western psychology. The methodology of this study is library based. Consequently, there are some inherent limitations which make the conclusions of this research somewhat preliminary in nature. The absence of firsthand observational data forces this study to rely on the preponderance of consistent evidence from published research. This is not an ideal methodology, but it is responsible research and there are some apparent findings and conclusions from this study that hold potential clinical value. Examination of the comparative research on spiritual healing shows that all forms reviewed are, to some degree, effective. However, in many cases the underlying cause of illness has not been altered. Most researchers agree that success results from the power of suggestion as a placebo. They also agree that the greater the congruency of belief between patient and healer, the better the treatment outcome. An examination of the role of the placebo effect shows clearly that the placebo effect is extremely important in not only traditional healing, but all forms of healing, including modern Western scientific medicine. In summary, this study concludes that there are more similarities than differences in the techniques of Brazilian and Western health care approaches. It concludes that the apparent success of Brazilian spiritual healers, as well as traditional healers generally, is because of their holistic, integrated world view rather than variations in techniques. Final analysis of the evidence seems to support the fact that Brazilian spiritual healers do actually achieve some degree of success in treating schizophrenic disorders while successful treatment is still problematic in the West. However, the conclusions of this research are at best tentative. This study makes it clear that further firsthand observation is necessary before scientifically valid statements about the efficacy of traditional healing can be advanced. Nonetheless, the apparent success of Brazilian spiritual healers may do much to enhance our knowledge of treating many illnesses which are presently incurable in the West

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