MI: Topic 2, Medical Model

Question 1

1. Suggest how biological treatment can be used to treat one specific disorder [5 marks]

Answer 1

• Specific disorder: schizophrenia
• Under assumption mental illness is caused by biochemical explanation.
• examples: drugs, ECT, psychosurgery
• drugs: e.g., antipsychotic can be used by reducing symptoms by inhibiting effect of dopamine (high levels d = schizophrenia)
• most common treatment: quick & effective, but side effects

Question 2

2. Discuss the nature / nurture debate in relation to the biological explanation of mental illness [10 marks]

Answer 2

• Explanation of nature / nurture debate
• Linked: supports nature - encompasses genetic explanation
• define brain abnormality & link to nature
• define biochemical explanation & link to primarily nature

Could also mention Gottesman et al’s study - genetics - nature

Question 3

3. A) Explain what the key research by Gottesman et al. (2010) tells us about mental disorders. [5 marks]

Answer 3

• Gottesman: aim, key results, what can be drawn from results
• Thus study tells us higher risk if both parents have been diagnosed
• mental disorders thus caused by primarily genetic factors, but also environmental factors - acknowledged that environment is an influencing factor.

Question 4

3. B) Discuss the usefulness of the key research by Gottesman et al. (2010) [6 marks]

Answer 4

• define usefulness
• mention 1 conclusion drawn from research: if 2 parents have been diagnosed, there is a greater probability that the offspring will also develop the same mental illness.
• Example 1: genetic counselling and explain point.
• Example 2: Implement early prevention to help with parenting and explain point.
• Example 3: Further research - genetic engineering and explain point.
• Example 4: Further research - why some couples go onto have children with the same disorder as them but not others.

Question 5

4. To what extent are explanations of mental illness reductionist? [10 marks]

Answer 5

• Define reductionist
• E.g., medical model: only look at biological explanations - overlooks cognitive / behaviourist explanation.
• Mention 3 biological explanations that make up medical model.
• Example 1: Genetic explanation: define and link to Gottesman et al’s study - what it concluded, thus why it is reductionist and why it could be viewed as holistic and define holistic.