Biopsychological Approach

Psychological Approaches

Overview of the Biopsychological Approach

  • Definition: A biomedical model (also referred to as psychobiology or a neuroscience perspective) that proposes that behavior is significantly influenced by physiological factors.

    • Normal behavior: Occurs when the body is in a state of homeostasis or equilibrium.

    • Abnormal behavior: A result of physiological pathology, genetics, or trauma.

Current Neurobiological Theories

  • Theories addressing the causes of mental illness focus on:

    • Genetics and heredity: The role of genes in mental health.

    • Stress and the immune system: How physiological stress affects mental wellbeing.

    • Infectious agents: The effect of microbial factors on mental health.

Key Features of the Biopsychological Approach

  • The approach investigates several key areas:

    • Brain function: Examines brain activity in both healthy and impaired individuals.

    • Brain chemistry and psychology: Focuses on how neurotransmitters such as serotonin influence mood.

    • Genes and psychology: Explores the relationship between genetics and psychological traits, such as through twin studies and intelligence.

  • Core Assumptions:

    • Biological Underpinnings: A common belief that biological processes underlie behavior.

    • Reductionism: Provides explanations at a more basic, biological level.

    • Determinism: Suggests behavior is directly determined by biological factors.

Research and Treatment Focus Areas

  • Research and treatment within the biopsychological framework concentrate on four primary domains:

    • Nervous system disorders: Examining neurotransmitter disturbance at the synaptic gap between neurons.

    • Structural changes to the brain: Related to trauma and degenerative disorders.

    • Endocrine or gland dysfunction: For instance, hypothyroidism; hormonal alterations that may contribute to postnatal depression.

    • Familial (genetic) transmission of mental illness: Acknowledging that shared genetic history alone is inadequate for explaining mental illness prevalence.

Biopsychological Therapies

  • Therapeutic interventions aligned with neurobiological theories include:

    • Medications: Known as psychopharmacology.

    • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Utilized for conditions such as major depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder, catatonia, and severe suicidal ideation.

  • Combined Approaches: Often, these therapies are used alongside psychotherapy to enhance treatment outcomes.

Midwifery Considerations

  • Midwives should maintain awareness of normal physiology during assessment of childbearing women across physical, emotional, and psychological domains.

  • Genetic Predispositions: Guidelines suggest some forms of depression necessitate managed medication during pregnancy and the post-partum period.

  • Understanding how hormonal changes can critically affect women’s wellbeing emphasizes the importance of therapeutic interventions.

  • Midwives must be proficient in prescription comprehension, accuracy in medication dispensing, and ongoing client follow-up to achieve optimal midwifery practice.

Evaluation of the Biopsychological Approach

Positive Aspects

  • Productive: This approach has generated substantial explanations in various psychological fields such as:

    • Mental health

    • Individual differences

    • Social behavior

    • Therapeutic interventions: Provides avenues for drug treatments aimed at managing depression.

  • Popular Appeal: Genetic theories within this framework have become compelling narratives for self-understanding.

Critiques

  • Mind/body Split: Criticism for fostering a disconnect between mental and physical health.

  • Objective Focus: Emphasis on objective rather than subjective measures can neglect personal experiences.

  • Pathologizing Normalcy: Concerns exist over the approach pathologizing typical human experiences such as childbirth, grief, loss, and aging.

  • Health Problem Attribution: Major health issues in developed societies are often derived from lifestyle and environmental factors rather than purely physiological ones.

Overly Reductionist Critique

  • The approach is labeled excessively reductionist, arguably replacing complex psychological explanations with oversimplified biological interpretations.

  • Evolutionary Explanations Challenges:

    • Environmental Factors: These explanations tend to ignore significant environmental influences.

    • Naturalization of Negative Behaviors: There’s potential for ‘naturalizing’ undesirable behaviors (e.g., sexual violence).

    • Limited Evidence: Many evolutionary theories lack robust evidence support.

Additional Psychological Approaches

  • Mention of various psychological realms includes:

    • Behavioral Approach: Includes classical conditioning, operant conditioning, schedules of reinforcement, and environmental influences on behavior.

    • Cognitive Psychology: Focuses on information processing, attention, perception, cognitive dissonance, and therapies derived from cognitive theory.

    • Psychodynamic Approach: Associated with Freud, encompassing psychoanalysis, the id, ego, super-ego, and defense mechanisms.

    • Developmental Psychology: Features contributions from theorists like Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, including stages of cognitive and moral development.

    • Humanistic Approach: Involves humanistic psychology, the hierarchy of needs, and person-centered therapy developed by Carl Rogers.

    • Social Psychology: Explores topics such as conformity, obedience, attitudes, and social roles.

References

  • Barkway, P. (2013). Psychology for Health Professionals, 2nd Ed. Elsevier, Australia.

  • Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen, H., Dixon, L. (2019). Midwifery: Preparation for Practice, 4th Ed. Elsevier, Australia.

  • Raynor, M., & England, M. (2010). Psychology for Midwives: Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Puerperium. McGraw Hill, Berkshire.

  • Additional resource: https://www.simplypsychology.org/