Psy 205 Models Of Abnormality Research Paper

Julie Brown
Models of Abnormality
PSYC 205
Shadia Ibrahim
June 20, 2014

Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion and thought, which may or may not underlie a mental disorder. There are several models used to explain the nature and treatment of mental illness. A model is a set of assumptions and concepts that help scientists explain and interpret observations. Over the past half-century, improvements in clinical research has resulted in the shifts of values and beliefs in some models. All the models attempt to explain the causes and cures for all psychological illnesses, and all from a different approach. Through the centuries, approaches have developed and there are many
All models are unique and similar to each other, but the biological model and psychodynamic model seem to be the most extreme when compared to each other. The biological model takes on more of a medical perspective, it takes its roots in human biological or genetic makeup. The main focus of the biological approach is the brain and how psychological abnormality stems from malfunctioning parts of the person. The psychodynamic model, the oldest model, has a completely different approach than that of the biological model. The psychodynamic model states that a person 's behavior is the result of underlying dynamic psychological forces, whether they are independent or interactive. A conflict between these dynamic forces is what causes abnormal behavior. Freud, the founder of the psychodynamic model, believed that it was an unconscious conflict between three forces: the id, ego, and superego. The biological model and the
In this model, psychological issues are seen as springing from repressed emotions and events. This model was formulated by Sigmund Freud who conducted experiments on hypnosis and hysterical illnesses. Freud believed that three central forces shape a person’s personality. The forces are the id, ego and the superego. Freud believed that what we consciously think and feel is only a small fraction of our actual thoughts and emotions. There are some things on the surface that we could see and talk about, but there were a whole lot more beneath, in our subconscious. Freud believed that many of our problems today were actually caused by things that happened long ago. Freud believed that what happened in our childhood could have a profound impact on our subconscious. This ignores the biological components of some problems. There are some studies that show there is a biological or genetic predisposition towards addiction. Other mental illnesses, from depression to schizophrenia, also have biological or genetic components. The psychodynamic model does not acknowledge or address biology or genetics. Another problem with the psychodynamic model is that it depends on therapist interpretation. “For example, perhaps your mother was an alcoholic, but maybe her behavior didn 't influence you as much as the fact that you like the taste of beer or the peer pressure you get from your