Download ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

APPROACHES TO
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
AS PSYCHOLOGY
BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
MODELS OF ABNORMALITY
Biological
Model
Behavioural
Model
Cognitive
Model
Psychodynamic
Model
Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Biological Approach
Defines abnormality as
disease or illness
Biological
Model
Assumes organic basis –
brain structure, functioning
or biochemistry, possibly
genes
No blame attached
Ignores environmental influences and
social conditions
Hands responsibility to the
professionals
Leads to fear of mental illness and
possible shunning of those diagnosed
Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Assumes that disorders
arise through conflicts
between id or superego and
a weakened ego (Freud)
Psychodynamic
Model
Assumes childhood trauma
is influential, or else the
exhaustion of usefulness of
defence mechanisms
The unconscious is key
Intuitive and experiential
appeal
Difficult to demonstrate empirically
Deterministic, places heavy burden
on parents
Psychoanalysis and other “talking
cures” are often expensive and long
Freud
Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Assumes abnormal
behaviour is learnt
Only overt behaviour is
relevant, whether adaptive
or maladaptive
Behavioural
Model
“Mental illness”/“Mental
disorder” not meaningful
Classical Conditioning,
operant conditioning, and
social learning theory
Behavioural methods can be forced
on people
Focus on symptoms rather that
causes
Risk of “ symptom substitution”
Practically – orientated
therapies
Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Focuses on thinking
processes which occur
between a stimulus and a
response (Beck, Ellis)
Cognitive Model
Assumes that distorted
thinking is cause of
emotional problems
Practical, problem – solving
approach to therapy
Are cognitive processes cause or
effect of problems?
Emphasis on self-sufficiency can lead
to blame and ignoring social conditions