pya2 models

8/2/2019 PYA2 Models

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Psychology AS -

PYA2Models of Abnormality


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The Biological Model

Assumes that the causes of abnormalityare

a) related to bodily states, i.e.

genes(a predisposition to abnormality)

biochemistry(certain neurotransmitters contribute to disorders, e.g.schizophrenia (dopamine) and bi-polar disorder (serotonin))

neuroanatomy(post-mortems show that schizophrenics have enlargedventricles)

microorganisms

b) inherited: we can see this by looking atconcordance ratesespecially in twins if theyvebeen reared apart (dissimilar environmental factors).

{Certain genes lead to abnormal

biochemistry/neuroanatomy.}

Kendler et al.(1985)

Found that relativesof schizophrenics

are 18x more likelyto be diagnosed

with schizophrenia.

Berrettini (2000)found (using gene-mapping) that bi-polar disorder was

linked to genes on 8specific

chromosomes


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a) be physical (somatic) e.g.

drugsgenetic testing

b) follow the medical model:

Identifysymptoms

Diagnosea

syndrome

Prescribesuitable

treatment

Assumes that the treatments ofabnormality should


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Examples oftreatment:

Drugs

ECT (electro-convulsivetreatment)

Psychosurgery

They treat the symptoms but do not treat theproblem. People may prefer to take thembecause taking tablets are a familiar activity,unlike other therapies. The placebo effect may

take place.{effective, readily available, easily administered, cost-

effective, addictive, not a long-term solution; whentreatment stops, symptoms reoccur}

Generally used in schizophrenics and theseverely depressed, for quicker effects thandrugs (in the event of suicidal personalities){quick, impaired memory, headaches,1/3 of patients -memory loss, lack of consent}

Extreme somatic technique, used mainly beforethe introduction of drugs. Involved cutting ofneural tissue in the brain and was designed tochange a psychological condition.{refined techniques, irreversible, inconsistent effects,lack of consent}

Jacobsen et al. (1935)removed the frontal lobes ofa chimpanzee called Becky,

reducing her temper

tantrums

The Departmentof Health (1999)considered 700

patients whoreceived ECT:59% had notconsented to

treatment

Gerbino et al.(1978); manic-depression iscontrolled by

lithium in 80%of patients &considerablyreduces thesuicide rate.


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STRENGTHS

Practical applications: e.g. ECT has helped in 75%

of depression cases psychologists can improve the quality of peoples lives

Supporting research: Holland et al.s study of MZ and DZtwins MZ twins had a greater chance of both developinganorexia if one had it. abnormality can be caused by genetic factors

Reliable: all tests done on the same patient will turn outthe same results each time. less chance of getting it wrong


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WEAKNESSESTreatment of symptoms, not causes: may lead to

symptom substitution patients are not cured, when treatment is stopped (e.g. Drugs for depression), the

syndrome reoccurs

Mental Physical: symptoms are frequently thoughts and feelingsrather than somatic it is wrong to think that we can treat mental illnesses in the same way as physical

illnesses it may prevent us from treating real psychological causes

Inconclusive evidence: e.g. Concordance rates of inheriteddisorders are never 100%. biology may be only part of the problemwe cant usejustthe biological model to

treat abnormality

Cause or effect? Abnormal biochemistry may be a cause ofabnormality, or an effect from becoming mentally ill. issues of correlational data


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Potential Exam Questions:

1. Outline/Describe one or more assumptions of the biological model in relationto causes/treatment of abnormality (3 - 6 marks)

2. Describe and evaluate the biological model of abnormality (18 marks)

3. Outline the biological model of abnormality and consider its strengths andlimitations. (18 marks)

4. Outline and evaluate either the biological or the ____ model of abnormality. (18marks)


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The Psychodynamic Model

Assumes that the causes of abnormalityare

a) psychological, not physical from early childhood

b) unresolved conflicts: the id, ego and superegoand their conflicts create anxiety and ego-defences (e.g.repression).


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a) access the unconsciouse.g. psychoanalysis

psychodrama

b) concern the past

Assumes that the treatments ofabnormality should

if abnormality is theresult of

unconsciousthoughts, then to

treat this behaviourwe must access the

unconscious.


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treatment aims to enable the person to cope better with inner emotionalconflicts that are causing disturbance to make the unconscious consciousand then deal with it in the safety of the consulting room

Examples of treatment:

Psychoanalysis

Psychodrama

To bring these conflicts into the conscious mind, where theycan be dealt with. Good for phobias, sexual problems, etc, but

does not work with schizophrenics. Free association (on thecouch), Dream analysis, Hypnosis, Transference (of feelings).{success of treatment is subjective, unfalsifiable, can create falsememories, delays recovery, only applies to certain people (with moneyand time) with certain illnesses (in which patient has insight to)}

Moreno - past and present experiences are explored an

extension of childs play. A Director, (psychoanalyst)Protagonist (patient) and Auxiliaries (various people to act outfamily members) are involved in warm-up (e.g. empty chairtask), action phase (a theme and simple props to make a

situation seem real) and a sharing session (of thoughts andemotions during the exercise).{flexible, easy, fun, suitable for those with unresolved issues or mentalretardation, no agreed code of ethics}

Lazarus (1994) claims that suchethical guidelines would affect

the creativity and spontaneity.


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STRENGTHS

Influential: Freuds work has become part of our culture

there are plenty of studies, research and theories following Freud which havebeen used successfully to help people

Successful: especially when dealing with phobias

the model does work in some cases, so it can be used to help people

An alternative to the biological model and dealing withmental illness physically

very groundbreaking an alternative treatment which would probably beless physically painful


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WEAKNESSESToo Sexual/Time specific: too much emphasis on the

sexual factors of childhood, not enough on the socialfactors, or problems in the patients life at present patients may have problems in their social/current lives that are overlooked

Biased: Freuds original patients were mainly middle classViennese women with neurosis we cant assume that the same treatments work on every member of a

population

Unfalsifiable: it cannot be proven wrong denial isevidence of correctness. we cant figure a percentage of how much of the time the theory is correct,

and for certain disorders, so cannot apply this in comparison to othermethods or to success rates of different illnesses


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Potential Exam Questions:

1. Outline/Describe one or more assumptions of the psychodynamic model inrelation to causes/treatment of abnormality (3 - 6 marks)

2. Describe and evaluate the psychodynamic model of abnormality (18 marks)

3. Outline the psychodynamic model of abnormality and consider its strengthsand limitations. (18 marks)

4. Outline and evaluate either the psychodynamic or the ____ model ofabnormality. (18 marks)

5. The media often portray people, particularly women, as unrealistically slim andbeautiful. These images may play a role in eating disorders.

Outline and evaluate psychological explanations of anorexia nervosa and/orbulimia nervosa. (18 marks)

Here, I found an A-grade answer (with annotations) to Outline key features ofthe psychodynamic model of abnormality and consider its strengths and/orlimitations. Click here (also as a downloadable file).
http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:4stAvnl7vMMJ:psyonline.org.uk/examexamples/AbnormalityGradeA.doc+psychodynamic+model+of+abnormality+strengths&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ukhttp://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:4stAvnl7vMMJ:psyonline.org.uk/examexamples/AbnormalityGradeA.doc+psychodynamic+model+of+abnormality+strengths&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=uk


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To be continued.

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