WEEK TWO

Models of Abnormal Behavior: From Biology to Humanism

Each theoretical model offers its own explanation of the etiology, assessment and treatment of psychopathology.  Each approach has its value in understanding the complexity of human behavior and each professional will choose that approach which is most helpful in understanding and treating the disorder in question.

The biophysical or medical model considers psychopathology to be the result of diseases, trauma, toxins or heredity that disrupts normal processes.  The intrapsychic model exemplified by psychoanalytic approaches, substitutes psychological factors for biological diseases as underlying causes of pathology and stresses the importance of the “unconscious” as well as early childhood experiences that influence future adjustment.  The humanistic and existential schools emphasize man’s phenomenological view of the world and assert that how we perceive events in the world will determine our behavior.  Disorder or pathology develops when the person experiences incongruence between what he or she experiences and perceives and what others tell them is real or what they “should” feel.  This incongruence leads to anxiety and loss of meaning in one’s life.  Finally, the behavioral or learning theory model rejects that which cannot be scientifically observed and manipulated like “the unconscious” and emphasizes that psychopathology is learned according to the same principles as “normal” behavior.

READ:  Chapters 1 & 2 (B & D)

Critical Thinking Exercise:  What do you feel are the problems associated with using a medical/biological model to understand the etiology of most psychological problems?  What model do you believe is more relevant?  Why?  Submit a one page response via the Assignment Drop Box (ADB).

Discussion Question:  What model of psychopathology (or personality in general) do you feel would help you in understanding and dealing with your own emotional difficulties if you were to develop them?  Why?