As evidenced in Chapter 2 of the textbook, contemporary thinking about psychological disorders includes a broad variety of models or paradigms. The list of models used in framing psychological disorders includes the following: biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic-existential, and sociocultural. Each model highlights different factors in the development of abnormal behavior and suggests different avenues for the treatment of psychological disorders. In this week’s Assignment, you will closely examine these models and compare and contrast two of your own choosing.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Examine the textbook chapter on models of abnormality and identify two models you find most intriguing.
• Review the personal experience or encounter with abnormal behavior you explored in this week’s Discussion.

The Assignment:

In a 2- to 3-page paper, provide a brief description in your own words of each of the two models you chose and discuss why these two models appeal to you.

Using the personal experience or encounter with abnormal behavior you explored in this week’s Discussion, compare and contrast the two models (describe similarities and differences) in terms of how each might explain the development of the abnormal behavior described.

Compare and contrast the approaches to treatment that each model might suggest.

 

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.

The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.

 

 

MORE INFO 

Models of Abnormality

Introduction

When most people hear the phrase “models of abnormality”, they might think that this is just another way to describe mental illness. But it’s actually much more than that. Models of abnormality are used by mental health professionals to describe a wide range of conditions, from depression to schizophrenia, from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to traumatic brain injury (TBI). They also play an important role in treatment plans for these disorders because they help explain why certain treatments work better than others for particular patients.

models of abnormality

The idea that a disorder is essentially a collection of symptoms has been around since the beginning of psychology. It was first proposed by Jean-Martin Charcot, who believed that he could diagnose and treat people based on their physical symptoms alone. This method of diagnosis became known as “the psychologizing” in later years (as opposed to what we know today as “diagnostic psychology”).

By referring only to specific symptoms, it was hoped that psychologists would be able to create better treatments for mental illnesses by focusing on those very same symptoms instead of trying to understand them holistically or otherwise. The idea behind this model is still being used today—for example, many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder have frequent rituals such as hand washing or counting backwards from 10 when they’re feeling anxious —but other models have come along since then:

the idea that a disorder is essentially a collection of symptoms

The idea that a disorder is essentially a collection of symptoms is called the “symptom cluster” model. In this model, each symptom is related to other symptoms and can therefore be grouped into categories. For example, if you have anxiety disorder (anxiety), then your symptoms might include:

• Difficulty sleeping

• Irritability

• Restlessness

However, these are not always reliable indicators of what you may actually experience as an individual person with anxiety disorder. For example, some people who have difficulty sleeping may also experience irritability at night or restlessness during the day; while others might only experience these sorts of feelings during stressful events like exams or job interviews because they’re over-worked and stressed out!

the idea behind psychology’s diagnostic system

The idea behind psychology’s diagnostic system is that a disorder is essentially a collection of symptoms. For example, if you have an abnormal fear of heights and are afraid to fly in an airplane, your fear would be considered “abnormal.” Similarly, if you have an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which includes symptoms like washing hands over and over again or checking things repeatedly, then these behaviors could be considered “abnormal.”

This concept has been used for centuries by doctors and scientists alike—but it wasn’t until the 1950s when psychologists began using this idea to classify disorders such as schizophrenia.

sometimes used to treat people who are considered mentally ill.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a set of guidelines for diagnosing mental disorders. It is used by psychiatrists to help them treat patients who are considered mentally ill, or have displayed symptoms consistent with a particular disorder.

The DSM has been criticized for being outdated and too broad, but it remains one of the most widely used resources for diagnosing and treating mental illness.

Takeaway:

The diagnostic system of psychology is a way to classify and treat people who are considered mentally ill. It can be helpful for some people, but it can also be used in ways that are damaging to those who need help.

Conclusion

Finally, a word about the future of mental health care. It’s easy to forget that the biggest issue in this field is not necessarily what we know now but rather our inability to understand it. We are still figuring out how best to diagnose and treat different forms of mental illness, but we have made great strides since 1900! As our understanding grows, so will our ability to treat these disorders more effectively and efficiently—and hopefully we can reduce their prevalence in society as well.