PSY470 Models of Abnormality PDF

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Running Head: BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 1

Models of Abnormality NAME Grand Canyon University PSY 470 June 28, 2020

BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 2 Models of Abnormality There are six models in Abnormal Psychology which aim to describe and explain psychological abnormalities and how the treatment works for each. The six models of abnormality are biological, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-existential, sociocultural, and developmental psychopathology perspective. These models attempt to define and allow others to comprehend different abnormalities as well as describe useful treatments within each model. This paper will identify and explain all six models of abnormality as well as provide specific examples of each while demonstrating the application and treatment of each. Biological Model The biological model of abnormality suggests that biological issues are the cause of psychological disorders. This model focuses on topics such as genetics, neuroanatomy, and neurotransmitters (Thase, Jindal, & Howland, 2002). This model is a popular model in modern psychology as it is a scientific explanation of the problem. It suggests that there are too little or too many chemicals in the brain which results in poor communication between transmitters causing abnormal behaviors (Thase, et al., 2002). This poor connection in the brain could be due to genetics, neurotransmitters, viral infections, or hormones. An example of a mental disorder that can be applied and treated with the biological model is depression. The main biological explanation for experiencing depression is genetic inheritance, neuroendocrine or insufficient balance of hormones, or neuroanatomy (Thase, et al., 2002) A treatment for depression within the biological model would be drug treatment. In this case of treatment, drug therapy would be prescribed with proper medication that would assess the cause of the depression. For example, if someone was suffering from depression because of insufficient amounts of hormones during menopause, the proper medication to give the body the needed hormones would be prescribed

BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 3 (Thase, et al., 2002). The biological model of abnormality is considered to be successful in treating illnesses. Psychodynamic Model The psychodynamic model of abnormality suggests that mental illness is caused by a conflict of conscious desires and unconscious urges. This model was founded by Sigmund Freud who said that behaviors are motivated by psychological forces and abnormalities happen when there is an imbalance within the internal motivating forces. Mental illness then comes from unresolved conflicts that typically occurred in early childhood (Comer, R. & Comer, J.S., 2018). This model typically focuses on unresolved childhood trauma. With this model, Freud emphasized the importance of childhood connecting to mental health later on in life (Peterson, 1999). An example of this model being applied would be for someone diagnosed with anxiety. Treatment with this model would encourage the patient to look into his or her past suggesting the conflict they are experiencing is rooted in past problems while being projected onto something in the present. Treatment for this model would include but not be limited to psychoanalysis or psychotherapy in order to identify the unconscious trigger for the patient (Peterson, 1999). This model offers optimism for the patient. Cognitive-Behavioral Model The cognitive-behavioral model of abnormality focus on connecting behaviors of a person with their thoughts and how one affects the other. While one or the other may be focused on, the model suggests that both cognitive aspects and behavioral aspects come together with key principles to explain and treat psychological disorders (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). Social anxiety disorder is one that is applied and treated with the cognitive-behavioral model. Cognitive-behavioral therapists believe that people who suffer from social anxiety disorder have

BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 4 social beliefs and expectations that are always working against the person while also believing they are going to behave inadequately in a situation causing their anxiety levels to skyrocket when they are confronted with a social setting (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). In order to rewind this process exposure therapy is often used within this model. Exposure therapy is a behavior-focused therapy in which the person with the disorder would immerse themselves in different social settings and not leave the setting until the feeling of fear has gone away. This type of therapy is gradual and eventually allows for the person to overcome their social anxiety (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). This model incorporates how the cognitive mind and behaviors intertwine. Humanistic-Existential Model The humanistic-existential model of abnormalities tends to focus on a bigger dimension of human existence such as strong values, self-awareness, and meaning of life. This model is typically very optimistic offering hope for those who are suffering from mental disorders (Peterson, 1999). The optimistic view of this model is attractive as it easily meshes with goals and ambitions. Psychologists using this model will typically see patients just as people who have not found their full potential yet rather than someone with a mental illness (Peterson, 1999). Someone struggling with self-worth and depression might see a humanistic-existential psychologist. An application and treatment of this would be person-centered therapy. During this, the client will do most of the talking while the therapist encourages the person to improve their own life with the help of the therapist. This also encourages the client to look at their capabilities rather than their weaknesses (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). This model focuses on the positive aspects of a person rather than the negative. Sociocultural Model: Family-Social and Multicultural

BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 5 In the sociocultural model of abnormality, it suggests that abnormal behaviors are understood better while looking at the broad forces that the individual is influenced by such as culture and social environment (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). Understanding what the societal norms, the role the individual plays, and the cultural background of a person’s social environment is composed of two different perspectives; the family-social perspective and the multicultural perspective (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). Family-Social Perspective The family-social perspective focuses on forces that work directly with the person as they go through life such as family relationships, community, and social interactions. It is believed that these types of forces contribute to both normal and abnormal behaviors. An application and treatment of this model is Family Therapy. A therapist will meet with each family member separately and all together while assessing the role and function of the family as a whole and of each member individually (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018) Multicultural Perspective The multicultural perspective seeks to understand how race, ethnicity, culture, and other similar factors affect how a person behaves and thinks. Ethnic and racial minority groups are typically subject to pressure from society which can lead to abnormal functioning. An application and treatment for this type of abnormality would be a culture-sensitive therapy that would aim to address issues that come up for those who are faced with cultural differences. The therapist would help the person to see the importance of their own culture while also discussing the impact of the dominant culture the person is surrounded with (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). Developmental Psychopathology Perspective

BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 6 The developmental psychopathology perspective integrates all of the models as they are somewhat compatible. As one of the most influential integrative views today, this perspective uses developmental structure to understand how different parts of several models may come together to account for human functioning and abnormalities (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). This model is both maladaptive and adaptive with the two core principles being equifinality and multifinality. This perspective can be applied and treated with almost anything as it is a wide compilation of all models (Comer, R. & Comer J.S., 2018). Conclusion The six different models are biological, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-existential, sociocultural, and developmental psychopathology perspective. These models allow for different explanations of abnormalities and also offer different treatment styles for each. The developmental psychopathology perspective grants the ability to see mental disorders from an array of models at once rather than just one. These models explain the reason for psychological abnormalities and also give options for effective treatment based upon each model.

BENCHMARK: MODELS OF ABNORMALITY 7 References Comer, R., & Comer, J.S., (2018). Abnormal Psychology (10th Ed.) New York, NY: Worth Publishers Peterson, C. (1999). Psychological approaches to mental illness. A handbook for the study of mental health, 104-120. Thase, M. E., Jindal, R., & Howland, R. H. (2002). Biological aspects of depression. In I. H. Gotlib & C. L. Hammen (Eds.), Handbook of depression (p. 192–218). The Guilford Press....