Biological Approach To Abnormality Essay

Improved Essays
There are many models of abnormalities in psychology, including psychodynamic, behavioral, biological, humanistic-existentialism, and cognitive. Some of these approaches to abnormality seem to almost work off of each other’s beliefs. While each of these models of abnormality are unique in their diagnosis, treatment, and general approach to abnormality, the biological and cognitive approaches stand out to me the most and least fitting explanation to what causes abnormalities and how you should go about to treatment. Of the many models of abnormalities in psychology, the biological approach is the best fit for explaining abnormality because it is based on medical research. Biological theorists believe abnormality is caused from a problem that can be found within the brain anatomy or chemistry (Comer, R. J.). Because of this belief, biological theorists along with their researchers focus on “genetics, neurotransmitters, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, biochemistry” and things of that nature (Abnormal Psychology). There are a few different treatment options under the biological approach. One of the more popular treatment options is drug therapy, where those …show more content…
The biological approach is based on definite medical facts and research which help find the connection between mental disorders or abnormalities and a diagnosable problem in the brain’s chemistry or anatomy such as the connection of Huntington’s disease and the loss of cells in the basal ganglia and cortex. The cognitive approach is based on the belief that an error is made in the cognitive process. Both models of abnormalities are popular with researches and psychologists for their interesting viewpoints. Another difference between the two models of abnormalities is the treatments used to fix abnormality. The cognitive approach uses group and one-on-one therapy to teach individuals to think with a more go-getter

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Understanding Andrea Yates and The Murder Abnormal psychology is defined as the branch of psychology that studies the unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought, which may or may not led to a precipitated mental disorder. Andrea Yates is an excellent example of this definition because her abnormal behavior leads her to consciously drown all five of her children. When Yates was arrested, she was sentenced to life in prison, but later declared not guilty by reason of insanity. There are many factor that can contribute to what caused her to commit such a horrible crime, such as the individuals past experiences, environmental aspects that were of influence or unknown medical condition. Although Andrea Yates seemed like any ordinary individual,…

    • 1455 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    The main difference between them, beside their fundamental claims, is the methodology used in each approach. The psychological approach cannot always be tested, such as Freud’s psychodynamic theory, and so is often disregarded as it only has face validity and not empirical evidence. In areas where it is possible to carry out tests, it requires retrospective data collection from participants or other less reliable forms of data collection. The biological approach, however, is highly scientific and makes use of accurate, controlled, scientific equipment such as PET scans and MRIs to obtain empirical support. Another difference is the fact that both of these explanations have led to the development of different treatments.…

    • 1611 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Chapter 18 Physical pathology is therefore the result of disease, not the cause. – Samuel Hahnemann The day finally came for my first surgery. I had waited over thirty years for this moment. I was about to go through a specialized surgery that is not generally known or accepted. I was out on the leading edge, ready and excited to see what would happen.…

    • 1062 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It focuses on physiological features, like genetics and brain chemistry, which can be objectively measured (Lawton et al, 2011). Also, the medical diagnosis of mental illnesses reduces the factor of blame that is normally placed on the individual and the family with a psychological model. However, this model also has many criticisms, for example, the biological model is heavily reductionist as it assumes that the biological changes in the brain are responsible for any behavioural disorder, rather than looking more generally at their behaviour, symptoms and environmental influences (McGinley et al, 2008). Most of the support for this model comes from studies on animals, but researchers cannot be sure that animals display abnormal behaviour in the same way as humans, also, animal studies are very unethical as most cause the animals stress (Lawton et al, 2011). Many studies have found that psychological disturbances are associated with biological changes, however, it cannot be told if such changes are a cause or effect of the psychological symptoms (Psych teacher,…

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The seven different approaches to psychology are the Biological Approach, the Behavioral Approach, the Psychodynamic Approach, the Humanistic Approach, the Cognitive Approach, the Evolutionary Approach, and the Sociocultural Approach. These seven strategies help to explain how some people may become depressed as well. The biological approach describes behavior and mental processes by focusing on the body, and the functions of the nervous system and brain; which also works alongside with neuroscience: the scientific study of the nervous system and how its functions affect behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Through this approach, psychologists can determine that a…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Ever since reading The Science of Evil by Simon Baron-Cohen, I have been fascinated by psychological disorders and their neurological bases. This passionate curiosity has driven me to delve into the scientific literature pertaining to the subject of abnormal psychology and its origins in the brain. Admission to the Emerging Scholars program would afford me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the subject and gain useful research experience. The chance to participate in undergraduate research is one that is not offered to many students, especially freshmen and sophomores.…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Through the cognitive approach, the origin of Jake’s anxiety was his excessive thinking and worrying about his classes. By examining Jake’s interpretation of the positive and negative responses he received for his behavior, a cognitive psychologist can find connections between his thinking and his behavior. This allows the psychologist to have a better understanding of the bases of Jake’s thinking. In comparison to behaviorism, one of the most common treatments through the cognitive approach would be a therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy. There are three aspects; cognitive, behavioral, and irrational beliefs.…

    • 726 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Chapter 13 of the text, “ Myers Psychology In Everyday Life 3e ”, identifies a spectrum of psychological disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), classifies the psychological disorders and provides treatment suggestions about the disorders. For example, schizophrenia is a term that identifies an individual who has little or inappropriate emotions, bizarre beliefs, disorganized thought processes and withdrawn from social activity. Particularly, when Schizophrenia is acquired as a slow-developing process, the possibility of an active recovery from the person is extremely doubtful.…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To know which psychological method is best applied to understanding this particular disorder, we need to have an in-depth understanding of such approaches. Behavior therapy involves reinforcement, remodeling, systematic desensitization, relaxation methods, flooding, social skills training, self-management and behavior rehearsal as techniques. The individual’s diagnosis is first done in order to have a treatment plan for them. The therapist is mainly focused on the “what”, “how” and “when.” In other words, the therapist teaches the patient to evaluate the situation first ( the “what”), when the patient should act a certain way, how the patient should react. This type of therapy is better suited for phobic disorders, depression, trauma, sexual…

    • 978 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “If psychology is about the mind, then abnormal psychology must be about how some people’s brain doesn’t function like it should.” He chuckled again, “I’ve never been to a mental hospital, but I doubt everyone’s brain works perfectly all the time.” His perspective on abnormal psychology is similar to our textbook’s definition. I was not expecting his response (Stewart Ray, personal communication, January 14, 2017).…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Human nature and abnormal behavior are defined very differently by the several counseling theories. One could say that two of the most contradictory theories are: Psychodynamic (PD) versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Both of them attempt to relieve clients of emotional distress, however, the underlying reasons of why the distress occurs, and how the counselor helps the client relieve it, differs highly between the two theories. One of the first and most revolutionary theories in the history of psychology was the Psychodynamic theory. Even though it was originally funded by Freud, many of his students and followers imparted their own theories (e.g Jung, Erikson.)…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    1. When defining psychological disorder we have to question what exactly do we mean by psychological disorder. I considered the definition presented in an article by Psychology Today. They say the definition was released by DSM-5 it states, “A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbances in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental process underlying mental functioning”. According to class notes and discussions, abnormality, according to the consensus has not definition, but there are some clear elements. I think the main focus to acquire when attempting to comprehend a psychological disorder, is to consider…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Physical manifestations of mental illness (behaviours) result from conflict between the id the most primitive part of the personality seeking instant gratification. The ego the conscious rational part of the personality and the superego the sense of right and wrong. The manifestation of behaviours occurs as a result of defence mechanisms created by the ego referred to as ego defences for example regression the act of going back to an earlier or childhood behaviour or displacement the act of projecting an impulse onto a substitute object. An example of this is in Freud’s psychosexual theory a child between the ages of 1 and 3 years referred to as the anal stage. A child at this stage of development…

    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    1. There are two different theories that cause abnormalities these are called the somatogenic theory and the psychogenic theory. 2. Somatogenic theory would say that there is something wrong with the person’s brain and physical causes. A way to help would be to use drugs, surgery, and other physical theories.…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Essay On Abnormal Child

    • 1702 Words
    • 7 Pages

    IS ABNORMAL CHILD SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF A MOTHER? THE FIFTH CHILD: DISCUSSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF A MOTHER WITH ABNORMAL CHILD How many of us have seen in our surrounding a father sitting a baby? Naturally, very few. Moreover, what would be the scenario if the child is born with abnormalities?…

    • 1702 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays