abnormality evaluation Flashcards
biological model strengths
Scientific- A lot of research has been carried out that has increased our understanding of it- McGriffin et al on concordance rates in MZ and DZ twins. N
No blame- Implies the person is not responsible for their abnormality so they won’t punish themselves.
biological model weaknesses
Passive- encourages people to be passive patients and hand over their recovery to professionals, Reductionist- It’s more lively that disorders are caused by leaner patterns of behaviour, experiences and biological factors. suggesting there’s always a cure can lead to incorrect diagnosis and wrong treatment- can’t explain phobias. Stigma- the assumption mentally ill people are different can lead to labelling and prejudice.
behavioural model strengths
It’s been tested in a lab situation, behavioural therapies can be successful, especially with phobias and the approach deals with the present rather than delving into the past.
behavioural model weaknesses
It doesn’t take free will or personality into account, it underestimates the contribution of society and much of it’s principles have been tested on animals so it may not be applicable to humans.
cognitive model strengths
Doesn’t delve into the past and focuses on the individuals current thoughts, it emphasises internal factors, and it is very influential as it is favoured in many fields of psychology. Unlike the behaviourist approach which argues that people do not have free will and that the environment determines their behaviour by making them behave in certain ways, the cognitive model allows for processes such as decision making and choice.
cognitive model weaknesses
Unscientific as some thoughts can’t be observed, it ignores biological influences on behaviour, there’s no cause and effect (irrational beliefs could cause it) and it suggests blame will be put on the individual.
psychodynamic model strengths
It’s influential as it’s forms of treatment are still used today, and it considers psychological factors. Freud’s assertion that disorders, such as hysteria and phobias, could be caused by psychological traumas or conflicts changed the thinking at the time that abnormality was caused by medical or other causes such as evil spirits. Therefore the psychodynamic approach paved the way for other psychological models to be developed (e.g. behavioural and cognitive).
psychodynamic model weaknesses
Difficult to prove scientifically, how do we know the structure exists, fails to consider current adult difficulties someone may be facing, it suggests we have limited conscious involvement with our own development. Treatment typically involves 2 sessions per week for around a year. Each session may cost £60 per hour, and so one year’s psychoanalysis may well cost in excess of £6,000.
