PSY 242 - Models of Abnormal: Biological, Psychodunamic, Humanistic-Existential

Models of Abnormality

used by scientists and clinicians to treat abnormality

Major Models of Abnormality

1. Biological

2. Psychodynamic

3. Behavioral

4. Cognitive

5. Cognitive-Behavioral

6. Humanistic-Existential

7. Sociocultural

Psychodynamic: Cause of Dysfunction

• Underlying Conflicts

• Early Experiences

• Defense Mechanisms run amok

• Fixation - stuck in a developmental stage

Humanistic: Cause of Dysfunction

no self-actualization

Existential: Cause of Dysfunction

avoidance of responsibility/self-deception

Biological: Sources of Abnormality

• Genetics

• Diathesis-Stress Model

• Viral Infections

Diathesis-Stress Model

vulnerability + environmental stressors = psychological disorder

Biological: Treatments

• Psychotropic Medications

• Brain Stimulation

• Neurosurgery/Psychosurgery

Psychotropic Medications

• Antianxiety: Xanax, Valium

• Antidepressants: SSRIs, Prozac, Zoloft

• Mood Stabilizers (anti-bipolar): Lithium, Depakote

• Antipsychotics: Haldol, Risperdal

Biological Model: Strenghts

• strong research support

• medications provide relief for MANY individuals, but many undesirable side effects

Biological Model: Weaknesses

• limits understanding of abnormal function

• may produce significant undesirable effects

Theory of Psychoanalysis (Freud)

individual’s behavior determined largely by underlying unconscious, dynamic, psychological forces

Id

instinctual needs, drives, impulses

Ego

controls id impulses

Superego

conscience

Defense Mechanims

• Repression

• Denial

• Projection

• Rationalization

• Displacement

• Intellectualization

• Regression

Intellectualization

individual represses emotional reactions in favor of overly logical responses to a problem

Psychodynamic: Therapy

• Free Association

• Therapist Interpretation

• Catharsis

Psychodynamic Model: Strengths

• saw abnormal functioning nested in the same processes as normal functioning

• may be helpful to individuals with long-term, complex disorders

Psychodynamic Model: Weaknesses

• unsupported ideas; difficult to research

• non-observable concepts

• inaccessible to human subjects

Humanistic Model: Therapy

• Carl Roger’s client-centered therapy

  • clients accept and view self honesty

• Gestalt Therapy (Fritz Perls)

  • guide clients to self-recognition and self-acceptance

Existential Model: Therapy

• reflect on life

• accept responsibility for life and problems

• choose to live differently and with more meaning

Humanistic-Existential Model: Strengths

• broadly appealing

• focuses on areas missing in other models

• optimistic tone

Humanistic-Existential Model: Weaknesses

difficult to research