comparisons: explanation and treatment of abnormal behaviour

Question 1

How does the behaviourist approach explain and treat abnormal behaviour?

Answer 1

It sees abnormality as being due to maladaptive learning in which destructive patterns of behaviour have been reinforced.

Behaviour therapies like systematic desensitisation have been used to treat phobias.

Question 2

How does social learning theory explain and treat abnormal behaviour?

Answer 2

It has had little application but the principle of modelling and observational learning can explain how negative behaviours are learned through dysfunctional role models.

Question 3

How does the psychodynamic approach explain and treat abnormal behaviour?

Answer 3

It explains anxiety disorders as being a result of unresolved conflict (childhood trauma and overuse of defence mechanisms).

Psychoanalysis has had some success as a therapy but it isn’t suitable for everyone (mild mental health disorders).

Question 4

How do the behaviourist and cognitive approach explain and treat abnormal behaviour?

Answer 4

It has been used successfully in the treatment of abnormal behaviours such as depression (CBT).

Question 5

How does the humanistic approach explain and treat abnormal behaviour?

Answer 5

Therapies such as counselling have been effective as they close the gap between the self-concept and the ideal self to enable personal growth

Question 6

How does the biological approach explain and treat abnormal behaviour?

Answer 6

It has had a huge impact on the treatment of mental health disorders through the development of drug therapies which regulate chemicals in the brain.