The Biological Medical Model of Abnormality Essay

The Biological approach to abnormality regards a mental disorder as an illness rather then a disease. This is because mental disorders are thought to be related to the physical structure and functioning of the brain. According to this model of abnormality, mental disorders are thought to have an organic basis, such as a brain tumour.

The biological understanding of mental disorders include the role played by biochemicals. Functional disorders are now also thought to be physical in origin, symptoms occurring as a consequence of biochemical changes in the brain, which result in a dysfunction of neurotransmitters.

Genetic research has highlighted that some people may be genetically at risk of developing a mental disorder as it passes through generations through DNA. Individuals may inherit predispositions to certain illnesses. These predispositions are carried on through genes which pass from one generation to the next. The Biological Medical Model of Abnormality Essay.

The Biological model suggests that because mental problems are viewed as a physical illness, then physical treatments seem the most appropriate to use. Chemotherapy is the use of psychotherapeutic drugs but chemicals in this drug affects the functioning of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The Biological Medical Model of Abnormality Essay. There is also electro-convulsive therapy and procedures such as a lobotomy where certain areas of the brain are removed. However, such therapies can leave the patient in a zombie-like state.

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Many psychologists criticise psychiatry for focusing its attention on the symptoms of an illness and assuming by relieving those symptoms with drugs relieves the problem. The role of psychological and social factors are ignored. This is especially important because many of the symptoms of mental disorders are given in psychological and social terms and therefore the application of medical principles in inappropriate. It seems that the drugs are not actually curing the actual cause of the problem but just relieving the symptoms. Another criticism of this model is that people become patients and their well being is in the care of professionals who may be mistaken in diagnosing their illness.

Describe the biological (medical) model of abnormality and evaluate it in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. (12 marks)

The biological model of abnormality assumes that there is an underlining physiological cause of psychological disorders. Such disorders are considered as illness in the same way as the body can be affected by illnesses.

The model includes the idea that genetic factors may be important in psychological disorders. As identical twins are 100% genetically identical and fraternal twins don’t share all of their genes, identical twins might be more similar if a condition is inherited.

Gottesman (1991) conducted a meta-analysis of twin studies, and found that people had a 48% chance of developing schizophrenia if their identical twin had the condition. This reduced to 17% with non-identical twins. This suggests that schizophrenia could have a genetic basis. The Biological Medical Model of Abnormality Essay.

Another explanation of abnormality is that it is caused by biochemical imbalance. For example, the dopamine hypothesis suggests that excess dopamine may cause schizophrenia. Evidence for this includes the effects of drugs such as amphetamines, which increase dopamine levels and can result in behaviour similar to schizophrenia. However, an alternative explanation is that people with schizophrenia are more sensitive to dopamine, rather than they have more of the chemical.

Because the medical model assumes there is a physical cause of abnormality, it uses physical treatments. These include drug therapy, electro-convulsive therapy (which is sometimes used in very severe depression) and psychosurgery such as prefrontal lobotomies.

One strength is that there is evidence supporting the view that there are physical causes underlying some psychological disorders. Physical therapies, such as drugs, have proved effective in treating psychological conditions. Antipsychotic drugs prescribed for schizophrenia are often effective in reducing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. In some cases, these treatments have enabled people to lead more independent lives. The effectiveness of drugs supports the idea that there are physical causes of psychological conditions.

However, there are problems associated with physical treatments. For example, drugs treat symptoms rather than the causes and so do not cure psychological disorders.The Biological Medical Model of Abnormality Essay.  They may also have serious side effects. Another weakness of the medical model is that there are ethical issues raised by the use of treatments like ECT. It may be difficult to gain informed consent for treatment from someone with a psychological problem, especially if they don’t have insight into the condition.

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In conclusion, the medical model has provided evidence that there may be underlying physical causes of psychological disorders. The treatments derived from the approach are often effective, but can have unpleasant side effects and don’t provide a cure. However, despite its weaknesses, the strengths of the model have maintained its popularity.