The Biological and Behavioural Models of Abnormality

A model in this sense is a simple, general theory - or a set of assumptions on which specific theories of disorders are based. We covered the four approaches on which the four models of abnormality you need to know are based in our first few lessons in September.

The biological model (also called 'physiological' or 'medical') assumes that psychological disorders have physical causes in the brain/body (e.g. genes, neurotransmitter chemicals) and that treatments should also be physical (e.g. drugs).

Here is the biological model presentation.

The behavioural model is a psychological one (meaning it assumes the causes of abnormality are non-physical). It assumes that faulty learning results in abnormal behaviour, and this can be explained without involving the mind, thoughts or memories, but rather by looking at simple 'associative learning' (learning associations between stimuli, or between our behaviours and reward/punishment) - classical and operant conditioning.

Here is the behavioural model presentation.

You need to be able to write a description of each model worth six marks - at least half a side, ideally with examples of how the model can be used to explain specific disorders e.g. Depression (low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, perhaps as a result of a faulty gene, or 'learned helplessness' as a result of conditioning with negative stimuli that can't be escaped). You also need to be able to write an evaluation of each, explaining their strengths and limitations.