1. APPROACHES TO ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
AS PSYCHOLOGY

2. BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS OF ABNORMALITY
Biological Model
Behavioural Model
Cognitive Model
Psychodynamic Model

3. Biological Model Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Biological Approach
Defines abnormality as disease or illness
Assumes organic basis – brain structure, functioning or biochemistry, possibly genes
No blame attached
Biological Model
Ignores environmental influences and social conditions
Hands responsibility to the professionals
Leads to fear of mental illness and possible shunning of those diagnosed

4. Psychodynamic Model Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Assumes that disorders arise through conflicts between id or superego and a weakened ego (Freud)
Assumes childhood trauma is influential, or else the exhaustion of usefulness of defence mechanisms
The unconscious is key
Intuitive and experiential appeal
Psychodynamic Model
Difficult to demonstrate empirically
Deterministic, places heavy burden on parents
Psychoanalysis and other “talking cures” are often expensive and long
Freud

5. Behavioural Model Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Assumes abnormal behaviour is learnt
Only overt behaviour is relevant, whether adaptive or maladaptive
“Mental illness”/“Mental disorder” not meaningful
Classical Conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory
Practically – orientated therapies
Behavioural Model
Behavioural methods can be forced on people
Focus on symptoms rather that causes
Risk of “ symptom substitution”

6. Cognitive Model Biological & Psychological Models of Abnormality
Focuses on thinking processes which occur between a stimulus and a response (Beck, Ellis)
Assumes that distorted thinking is cause of emotional problems
Practical, problem – solving approach to therapy
Cognitive Model
Are cognitive processes cause or effect of problems?
Emphasis on self-sufficiency can lead to blame and ignoring social conditions