Final answer:
Pinel was a French physician who advocated for humane treatment of individuals with mental illness, rejecting the prevailing views of the time. His work laid the foundation for the modern field of clinical psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pinel, short for Philippe Pinel, was a French physician and early pioneer in the field of psychiatry. He is best known for his work at the Bicêtre Hospital in Paris, where he advocated for humane treatment of individuals with mental illness.
Pinel believed in the importance of treating those with mental illness as human beings and rejected the prevailing views of the time that mental illness was caused by demonic possession or moral corruption. He introduced more compassionate and progressive approaches to patient care, such as removing chains from patients, providing them with clean living conditions, and encouraging engagement in meaningful activities.
Pinel's efforts laid the foundation for the modern field of clinical psychology. His work helped shift the perception of mental illness from a moral issue to a medical one, fostering greater understanding and empathy towards individuals with psychological disorders.