Models of Abnormal Behavours
ASSIGNMENT ON PSY 310
“FOUR MODELS OF ABNORMAL BEHAVOURS”
BY
ODEH, JENNIFER OMARI
BSU/PSY/UG/09/9532
What Are Models?
Models are representations containing the essential structures of some object or event in the real world.
There is a variety of things that are commonly referred to as models: physical objects, fictional objects, set-theoretic structures, descriptions, equations, or combinations of some of these. However, these categories are neither mutually exclusive nor jointly exhaustive. Where one draws the line between, say, fictional objects and set-theoretical structures may well depend on one 's metaphysical convictions, and some models may fall into yet another class of things.
Models of Abnormality are general hypotheses as to the nature of psychological abnormalities. The four main models to explain psychological abnormality are the Biological, Behavioural, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic models. They all attempt to explain the causes and cures for all psychological illnesses, and all from a different approach.
1. The Biological (Medical) Model
The medical of abnormality model has dominated the psychiatric profession since the last century. The underlying assumption of this model is that mental illnesses resemble physical illnesses and can therefore be diagnosed and treated in a similar way. Just as physical illnesses are caused by disease producing germs, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances or changes to the nervous system, it is assumed that this is also true of mental illnesses. Because it assumes that mental disorders arise from such physical causes, the medical model is therefore a biological model.
Example
A patient presenting with symptoms of depression (e.g., extreme tiredness, difficulty in sleeping, lack of interest in life, possible suicidal tendencies) would be diagnosed as having a problem resulting from an imbalance of brain chemicals. This could be corrected by prescribing drugs to restore the
“FOUR MODELS OF ABNORMAL BEHAVOURS”
BY
ODEH, JENNIFER OMARI
BSU/PSY/UG/09/9532
What Are Models?
Models are representations containing the essential structures of some object or event in the real world.
There is a variety of things that are commonly referred to as models: physical objects, fictional objects, set-theoretic structures, descriptions, equations, or combinations of some of these. However, these categories are neither mutually exclusive nor jointly exhaustive. Where one draws the line between, say, fictional objects and set-theoretical structures may well depend on one 's metaphysical convictions, and some models may fall into yet another class of things.
Models of Abnormality are general hypotheses as to the nature of psychological abnormalities. The four main models to explain psychological abnormality are the Biological, Behavioural, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic models. They all attempt to explain the causes and cures for all psychological illnesses, and all from a different approach.
1. The Biological (Medical) Model
The medical of abnormality model has dominated the psychiatric profession since the last century. The underlying assumption of this model is that mental illnesses resemble physical illnesses and can therefore be diagnosed and treated in a similar way. Just as physical illnesses are caused by disease producing germs, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances or changes to the nervous system, it is assumed that this is also true of mental illnesses. Because it assumes that mental disorders arise from such physical causes, the medical model is therefore a biological model.
Example
A patient presenting with symptoms of depression (e.g., extreme tiredness, difficulty in sleeping, lack of interest in life, possible suicidal tendencies) would be diagnosed as having a problem resulting from an imbalance of brain chemicals. This could be corrected by prescribing drugs to restore the
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