The abnormal psychology model that I am choosing to write about is the Biological Model along with behavioral-cognitive model. Why? I believe it plays a key part in diagnosing an individual not only with a mental disorder but any for that matter. As well how psychology has come so far from performing lobotomies and trephinations to cure a person from their disorder to now prescribing medications to deal with the disorders. But at the same time we need for example the behavioral-cognitive model to help with treatments other than just medication.
Some of the weaknesses of the Biological Model is that in the early years of psychology since it was not understood completely. People a half-million years ago performed an operation called trephination to expel what they thought were evil spirits (Comer, pg9). This did allow to remove blood clots caused by stone weapons caused by warfare (Comer, pg9). Trephination I believe had the same results a lobotomy had on individuals. It left them docile. On that note a German scientist by the name of Friederich Golz starting doing experiments on the neocortex (http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n02/historia/lobotomy.htm). Mr. Golz did this experiment on dogs he removed the temporal lobe and found that the dogs we more tame and calmer (http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n02/historia/lobotomy.htm). Over the years others picked up doing lobotomy and a Dr. Burkardt performed this procedure on individuals in asylums
One of the first differences in the perspective is that the biological perspective is more empirical than the psychoanalytic perspective. The biological approach uses scientific methodology which ensures that the results obtained are more reliable (Jarvis, 200). On the other hand, the cause and effect cannot always be determined for example, are there higher levels of a neurotransmitter when a person has a disorder or are the high levels of neurotransmitter the cause of having a disorder. However, the psychoanalytic approach is less empirical as it is based on subjective observations that were made by Freud and most of this work was not a good representation sample of the population (Eysenck, 2000).
(P1)The biological approach means that our behavior is the cause of biological factors. This approach looks at our genetics to construct a reason why we act the way we do and why we develop abnormal behaviors. The brain and nervous system are the biological approach and so are chemical changes in the body .This can mean chemical reactions in the brain. For instance, in eating disorders - twin studies were carried out and it was shown that if one identical twin suffered from an eating disorder then the other twin would also be more likely to suffer from a disorder as well. This did not happen with non-identical twins, suggesting that the
The biological model, or medical model, emerged in the late nineteenth century following the discovery of the correlation between brain damage and abnormal behavior. The critical assumption of the
In life, humanity is on a journey much like walking through a forest full of trees that requires consistent observation while navigating the path traveled. Remaining on course is a very important part of arriving at the destination of achievement and success. There is no way to have complete certainty of always arriving on time, as all the variables come into the picture of that journey which psychology also does in relation to the mind. The psychodynamic theory in comparison to the cognitive behavior theory is somewhat well viewed in focus of examining the mental process of what one does based upon what one has thought of doing. To consider the contrast of
The biological model is based on a medical/physical perspective to abnormality. Dysfunction is the product of physical malfunctions such as brain messages not functioning properly and certain inherited genes. Poor message transmission can cause depression while inherited genes can lead to mood disorders and schizophrenia (Suinn, 1988). Treatments such as drug therapy, occur when physical causes of the abnormality are found. Drug therapy uses drugs that effect one’s emotional process and thought process. For example, antidepressants would be given to someone that has depression to elevate the mood, while antipsychotic drugs would help alleviate hallucinations and delusions for one with psychotic disorders (Comer, 2012). The biological model focuses on curing physical ailments for abnormality while others focus on the mind and the environment as the sole cause for abnormality.
The medical model focuses on the molecular structure of drugs and indicators of mental or emotional disorders. However, the medical model is not effective treating mental and emotional disorders. The medical model indicts the notion that abnormal behavior is the product of physical problems and be treated medically. The medical model depends upon independent tests to demonstrate or contradict if a patient is ill. The psychological model uses tests to demonstrate or contradict whether a patient is ill. It is at this point of agreement that the two models separate. A restriction to the psychological model is if a patient that is unconscious, or their communication ability is compromised to the degree that they are
that is passed down to each individual. The medical model defines mental illness as a biological disease that is caused by malfunctioning neurophysiological process. The DSM-5 is used in the medical model as a classification system of psychological disorders to help the clinician diagnosis and treat mental illnesses. There are strengths and limitations of focusing on the medical model and the use of the DSM when working with clients.
(AC1) Two perspectives in psychology are the behaviourist approach and the biological (also known as physiological) approach. These perspectives consist of different theories, research methods and treatments in relation to mental illness.
12. Describe and give an example exemplifying the tension between explanations of mental illness based on the medical model and those based on the psychological model.
Biological psychology adequately explains human behavior and mental processes because of the biological process in the brain and how it relates to genetics. Genetics can affect a person’s mental process and how they think about certain things, Huffman and Dowdell state “that genes influence many aspects of our behavior, including whether we finish high school and college, how kind we are to other people, and even whom we vote for in elections” (p.10). This shows how genes and biological psychology affect our behavior and mental process. The brain connects with the nervous system and when there is a trauma in the brain, neurotransmitters affect the brain and can change a person’s behavior. This shows how behavior can change in an instant because of biological perspective. This is a clear way of the explanation of human behavior because if there is damage to the brain, then that can affect the behavior of a human and cause a difference in the mental process.
Another model of personality, like the trait approach, is the biological model. This is by far the most scientific of all of the different models and is also the most prosperous, meaning that it regularly releases new discoveries. The biological model largely focuses on the functions of the brain and how that affects personality. Typically, this requires observation by brain mapping for the most accurate results, but since this is not available, the results will be inferred from subject A’s known personality.
There are several approaches or perspectives in psychology. This essay will focus on the Biological and Behavioural approaches. The first section of this paper will give an overview on these approaches, giving an account of their assumptions on human behaviour. It will review methodology used and evaluate their strengths and weakness. Followed by a closer look at a key theorists in the field. It will then take a closer look at how these approaches have contributed to the understanding and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The Strengths and Limitations of the Biological Model of Abnormality This model uses physical illness as a model for psychological disorder, suggesting that like physical illness, mental illness has an underlying bodily cause. It proposes that genetic, organic or chemical disorders cause metal illnesses which give rise to behavioural and psychological problems. Thus, abnormality has physical causes such as brain dysfunction (neurological), biochemical imbalances, infections or genetics and so can only be cured through medical treatments. Therefore it implies that abnormality results from properly
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was created by Aaron Beck, a professor in psychiatry in the 1960’s (Beck, 2011). Initially, Beck sought out to prove the psychoanalytic idea that depression stemmed from anger towards oneself (Beck, 2011). However, during his research he found that misleading thoughts and beliefs were the reasoning behind depression. Beck theorized that one’s current feelings about something are derived from an initial encounter that gave meaning to that specific event. So, negative feelings about a particular occurrence can be a result of misinformation (Beck & Greenberg, 1984).