TOPIC 2: THE MEDICAL MODEL

Question 1

The medical model of mental illness

Answer 1

Treats mental disorders in same way as broken arm i.e thought to be a PHYSICAL cause.
The medical model is a term in psych indicating the assumption normal behaviour is result of physical problems & should be treated medically.

Question 2

Biomedical explanations

Answer 2

Always been controversial but advances in neuroscience have allowed us better idea of what variations in brain functioning correspond to experience of mental illness, this combined with increasing influence on part of pharmaceutical companies means mainstream psychiatry currently most biomedical outlook than has ever been before.
Biomedical approaches to treatment are based on idea we can correct, or at least reduce, effects of malfunctions & disruptions.

Question 3

The biomedical model (‘diseased model’) of psychopathology

Answer 3

Views psychological disorders as result of biological malfunction/disruption e.g brain chemistry or electrical activity in brain region.
Underlying causes of symptoms are viewed biological origin- e.g faulty genes, brain damage etc…

Question 4

Assumption of medical model

Answer 4

Assumes mental disorders can be understood as illnesses in same way as physical conditions can. Thus can be classified, diagnosed, treated by medical professional same way as physical disease.
Medical treatments are biologically based including drugs, surgery and application of electric shocks, magnetic fields, bright lights.

Question 5

3 explanations of mental illness:

Answer 5

1) Biochemical explanation (depression)
2) Genetic explanation (schizophrenia)
3) Brain abnormality as an explanation (schizophrenia)