Final answer:
The use of exorcism indicates a belief that mental illness is caused by evil spirits. This practice reflects historical views that spiritual entities were responsible for various unexplained illnesses and needed to be expelled through religious rites.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of exorcism suggests a belief that mental illness was caused by c. evil spirits. Historically, many cultures attributed mental illness and other unexplained health issues to spiritual causes or punishments from deities. The concept of exorcism, which is the religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or an area, reflects this perspective. Religious rites, such as exorcisms, were often applied to the treatment of maladies, where individuals believed that an outside force, such as an evil spirit, was causing the illness and needed to be banished to achieve healing.
Different cultures have had various practices related to this belief. Some native peoples, for instance, perceived disease as a weapon used by hostile spiritual forces, leading to certain community actions to eradicate the disease. Anthropologically, this view aligns with supernatural explanations rather than those based on germs, poisons, or psychological trauma. It contrasts with later understanding, including a comprehensive germ theory, which identifies microorganisms as causing many diseases.