Issues & Debates: The medical model (topic 2)

Question 1

Nature/Nurture

Answer 1

Genetic explanation of mental illness supports nature side- suggests we are born with certain characteristics underlie mental illness.
Brain abnormality and biochemical explanations for mental illness support nurture side as takes into account role of events that occur after birth- abnormalities in brain can occur due to events in their life e.g brain damage or cannabis use affecting neurotransmitter activity.
Nature and nurture no longer seen as separate explanations of mental illness- diathesis stress model explains genes create a vulnerability (diathesis) for a disorder which will only actually develop if there is some form of life experience that triggers it such as stress.
Person may be born with genes predisposing them to schizophrenia but not all people with such genes develop disorder (Gottesman shows).

Question 2

Ethical issues

Answer 2

Parents who have experienced mental illness now know there is increased risk of offspring developing mental illness- can be distressing and make parenthood difficult decision.
Labels affect self esteem.
Eugenics- not intended to prevent people having children.
Side effects of ECT and drugs; ECT broken bones, burns to brain etc… Drugs can cause suicidal tendencies etc…

Question 3

Free will/ Determinism

Answer 3

Medical model largely determinist- suggests mental illness determined by factors such as neurotransmitters, genes, brain structure. All these factors are beyond personal control, even if environmental factors play a role these may also not be in ones control.
Some evidence of free will in that schizophrenic people can teach themselves to control their hallucinations e.g drown out voices with music, tell themselves ‘stop’ etc…
Patients can exert some free will over their symptoms.

Question 4

Reductionism/ Holism

Answer 4

All 3 explanations of mental illness are reductionist.
Each break down complex behaviour of mental illness into simplest form- whether biochemical, genes or brain structures.
Current understanding of disorders uses diathesis-stress model taking into account biological explanations as well as psychological and social explanations (more holistic viewpoint)

Question 5

Individual/ Situational

Answer 5

Biological explanations support individual side.
Mental illness can link to environmental factors/explanations (situational).

Question 6

Psych as a science

Answer 6

Very scientific- biological, brain, neurotransmitters etc
Experiments, scans (fMRI and PET scans)
Scientific techniques
PPP3CC is particular gene- gene sequencing
Empirical evidence is scientific

Question 7

Usefulness of research

Answer 7

Biochemical explanation proved useful forming basis for modern day treatment for mental illness.
Drug treatments for schizophrenia & depression based on knowledge that abnormal levels of neurotransmitters cause illness- adjusting levels using medication can help reduce symptoms.
Useful to know & understand how genetics influence development of mental illness- medical professionals can be aware of risk factors, may be able to provide interventions for those most at risk.
Evidence for role of neurotransmitters being involved in schizophrenia initially came from drug studies involving dopamine antagonists (block dopamine receptors)- problem with this= use of drugs that block dopamine (anti-psychotics) is based on assumption that dopamine is responsible for schizophrenia. (assumption came initially from research into antipsychotic drugs- such drug therapies usefulness is weakened).