The Medical Model Flashcards
Outline the medical model of mental illness
The medical takes the assumption that all mental illness has a biological origin and that some physical malfunction has occurred
Outline the brain abdominal explanation of mental illness
This explanation considers that mental illness is caused by physical differences in brain structures and brain activity.
What are CT and MRI scans?
There are essentially an x-ray that captures structural images of the brain allowing us to identify structural differences
What are pet scans?
They create functional imagery of the brain using a substance such as glucose with a radioactive marker so we can see the active part of a brain during a task
How would the brain abnormality explanation explain schizophrenia
CT scans have shown people with schizophrenia having large French calls this leads to loss of matter in the temple lobs which is associated with cognitive processes, including language. This could explain positive symptoms e.g. auditory hallucinations.
How old the brain abnormality explanation explained depression
MRI scans has shown the volume of the frontal lobe of depress people is smaller. In pet scans it showed that the front frontal lobe of depressed patients didn’t draw blood flow at a normal level. Low function in frontal lobe is linked with difficulty in problem-solving and decision-making which could lead to unhappiness and mood problems
Outline the biochemical explanation of mental illness
The biochemical explanation looks at neurotransmitters which are chemicals in the brain are pass from one cell to another through the synaptic gap and how these can explain the onset of mental illness.
How was the biochemical explanation? Explain schizophrenia
